Helps to detox, increases blood flow to brain, boosts muscle growth, combating hypertension among older people and beneficial for enhancing your overall workout to give you a longer workout are some of the benefits of drinking beet juice post workout.

Beetroot, as the name suggests is a root vegetable which is harvested all through summer and even late fall, is available for all year – round. However, winters are the prime time for baby beets which are relatively sweeter and more tender than the mature ones. Also, small – sized or medium – sized beets are more tender than the larger ones.

Beets are usually consumed by boiling or baking or cooking or as pickles in vinegar. You can also prepare a very nutritious and healthy beetroot juice to give your body the substantial energy boost.

5 Amazing Benefits of Drinking Beet Juice Post Workout

Owing to the amazing health benefits of beet juice, it has subsequently  gained a lot of commercial attention over the few years. The health benefits of consuming beet juice post workout are quite advantageous for one, some of which are:

Beneficial for enhancing your overall workout to give you a longer workout

A randomized control trial was conducted in which 14 men drank beet juice and nitrate – depleted beet juice for 15 days. Their blood pressure and rate pressure product (RPP) was taken at rest and also during exercise. It was found that the beet juice increased levels of plasma nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator, thus widening the blood vessels and allowing for a greater blood flow throughout your body. This increased blood flow would reduce the stress on the heart during intense workouts quite significantly and lets you workout for a longer period.

Boosts muscle growth

Increased nitric oxide content in the blood causes widening of blood vessels and increased blood flow throughout the body. This greater blood flow would also help in improving the nutrients reaching the muscles and promoting its growth. Beet juice is excellent for DOMS beating property. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a condition where the muscles become extremely stiff and sore after an intense workout. Beet juice helps to alleviate DOMS effects and also boosts speedy recovery process after workout.

For combating hypertension among older people

Wake Forest University in North Carolina conducted a study on the impact of consuming beet juice on the brains of elderly before exercising. The research was conducted on 26 hypertensive people of above 55 years of age, not taking part in any physical exercise and taking two drugs for treating their hypertensive condition. They were given a beetroot juice supplement containing 560 mg of nitrate thrice a week for six weeks, one hour before 50 minutes of moderately intense exercise on the treadmill. The other half group was given placebo of beetroot juice but with very low levels of nitrates.

It was found that the beet juice along with physical exercise helped in increasing the oxygenation to the brain and in strengthening the somatomotor cortex, the area of the brain that controls the information from the muscles.

Increases blood flow to brain

The increased nitric oxide levels in the blood plasma allows greater blood flow to the brain and enhancing its skeletal muscle regulation.

Helps to detox

Beetroots contain a type of phytonutrient, betalains which have powerful antioxidants, anti inflammatory and detoxification properties. Thus, they actively flush out the toxins and cleanse the body at the same time protecting the liver.

Nutritional profile of beet root (per 100 grams)

Nutritional profile of beet juice per serving – 123 grams)

Beet juice is rich in the essential nutrients, Vitamin C (23%), Folate, Vitamin B6, iron (5%), manganese, potassium, calcium (3%) and also is a great source of fiber i.e. 2.8 g.

The calories in beet juice is quite low i.e. 102. The total fat is 1.8 g. Sodium content is 180.2 mg. Total carbohydrate is 20.6 g. Sugars is 16.2 g and protein is 1.7 g.

Recipe for preparing beet juice

Beetroot juice when prepared by combining with carrot, ginger and lemon becomes a miraculous drink. The juice is packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, beta – carotene, polyphenols, anti – oxidants, folate and other important micronutrients too. Ginger gives you the anti – inflammatory benefits and lemon boosts your immunity to fight against virus, bacteria and other pathogens. Also it has DOMS beating property too. Preparing this juice is quite simple.

Ingredients

• Beetroots – 4
• Carrots – 4
• Ginger – 1 thumb
• Lemon – 1

Method

• Put all the ingredients together in the juicer and blend it to your choice of consistency and enjoy.

Conclusion

Beetroots being packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorous, etc. are quite beneficial for the body. Beetroots are available all round the year, however, during the winter you find the sweeter and more tender types of beets.

Beetroot juice has certain unique properties to it that when it is consumed post workout they confer some excellent results. Beet juice helps to increase the levels of nitric oxide in the plasma, which helps in widening the blood vessels and increasing the blood flow throughout the body. This would increase endurance, enhance your workout and also improve the nutrients supply to the muscles, thus, conferring to muscle growth.

Prepare your very own beet juice with beets, carrots, ginger and lemon to exploit its benefits.

References

https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2348/2

https://www.hindustantimes.com/fitness/a-glass-of-beetroot-juice-is-the-biggest-boost-you-need-after-exercise-here-s-why/story-JCY7YTWqtfnFlREFehEtsK.html