Beets: The Veggie That Bleeds (and Other Reasons to Love Them)

Remember when your grandma insisted that "beets are good for your blood"? Turns out, she wasn’t just making stuff up to guilt you into eating that weird purple vegetable. Beets literally bleed when you cut them—like a tiny, unsuspecting vampire hiding in your salad. But before you call Buffy the Vampire Slayer, let me explain why this is a good thing. 

Beets Are Basically Nature’s Blood Pressure Medication

Beets are loaded with nitrates (NO₃), which sound like something you’d avoid in processed meats, but in veggies, they’re basically magic. Here’s the fun part: your body turns these nitrates into nitric oxide (NO), a molecule that tells your arteries to chill out and relax. Think of it like a spa day for your blood vessels—less tension, better flow, and lower blood pressure. 

The Nitrate-to-NO Pipeline (A.K.A. Your Body’s Secret Superpower)

Step 1: You eat beets (or other nitrate-rich veggies like arugula, spinach, or cabbage). 

Step 2: Your body absorbs the nitrates and sends them to your saliva (because, sure, why not?). 

Step 3: The bacteria in your mouth do a little chemistry experiment, turning nitrates into nitrites (NO₂). 

Step 4: You swallow, stomach acid works its magic, and BOOM—you’ve got nitric oxide, baby! 

This whole process is like your body’s own DIY blood pressure hack. And unlike some medications, there are no weird side effects—just maybe some pink pee (totally normal, don’t panic). 

But Wait, Aren’t Nitrates Bad?

Great question! Nitrates get a bad rap because they’re in processed meats (hello, hot dogs), but the real villains are probably other compounds in those meats—not the nitrates themselves. In fact, some cultures (looking at you, Tibetans) have way more nitrates in their blood than the average Westerner and don’t have higher cancer rates. 

Bottom line: Nitrates in veggies = good. Nitrates in mystery-meat tubes = meh (maybe don’t go overboard). 

Beets: The Original Performance-Enhancing Drug (But Legal)

Want to work out harder, recover faster, and feel like an absolute beast at the gym? Drink beet juice. Studies show it boosts endurance, reduces fatigue, and even cuts down on post-workout soreness. Move over, protein shakes—beet juice is the OG sports drink. 

Oh, and for the guys: Nitric oxide is also why Viagra works. So yeah, beets might just be nature’s little… helper. 

Other Reasons Beets Are Basically a Multivitamin in Disguise

·      Liver Love: Betalains (the pigments that make beets red) help detox your liver. 

·      Bone & Brain Boost: Beets contain boron (great for bones), plus they may help with memory and mood. 

·      Diabetes Defense: They improve insulin sensitivity, which is a big deal for blood sugar control. 

·      Anti-Inflammatory: Chronic inflammation? NO (literally) can help with that. 

How to Eat Beets Without Feeling Like a Rabbit

Look, I get it—plain boiled beets can taste like dirt (because, well, they grow in it). But there are way more exciting ways to eat them: 

·      Borscht: A Ukrainian beet soup that’s basically a hug in a bowl. 

·      Fermented Beets: Like sauerkraut’s cooler, pinker cousin. 

·      Pickled Beets: Throw in some rosemary and apple cider vinegar for next-level flavor. 

·      Beet Salad: Grated beets + walnuts + prunes + a little mayo = surprisingly delicious. 

Final Verdict: Beets Deserve a Spot on Your Plate!

Whether you roast ‘em, juice ‘em, or ferment ‘em, beets are a nutritional powerhouse wrapped in a weirdly bloody package. So next time you see them at the store, don’t walk away in fear—embrace the beet. Your heart (and your workout stamina) will thank you. 

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a date with a bowl of Rayna’s delicious Beet Ginger Soup (equivalent to borscht in hug factor!)