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Beet

Quick Points of Interest

- Beets are an excellent source of fibre and phosphorus.

- An excellent source of Vitamin C, a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.

- The ancestor of the beet, the sea beet, still grows along Mediterranean coasts of Southern Europe.

• Whole beets can be made into Borscht, an Eastern European soup.
• In Australia, sliced beets are a popular topping on hamburgers.
• One serving (100 g) of cooked beets contains only 44 calories and provides 36 per cent of the Daily Recommended Intake for folate.
• A 72 gram serving of beet greens contains 20 calories and is an excellent source of beta carotene and high in potassium and Vitamin C.
• Beet greens are also a source of calcium, fibre, Vitamin B6, folate, riboflavin and iron.

The History of Beets

The cultivation of beets dates back to pre-historic times. Ancient civilizations grew them on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea for the medicinal quality of their leaves. Initially, the leaves were the only part of the plant used for food. Someone discovered that the sea beet had plump, fleshy roots and began cultivating them. Beet roots were not commonly used as a vegetable until hundreds of years later.

At the time of Charlemagne, the beet was becoming quite popular in France. Your garden was not considered "respectable" unless you had rows upon rows of this hearty vegetable.The beet traveled from France to Germany during the 16th Century, and eventually crossed the English Channel, to be enjoyed by the inhabitants of many other countries.

The Benefits of Beets

Beets are a source of magnesium, iron and potassium, they are also a source of Vitamin C, a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. This anti-inflammatory activity may influence the development of asthma symptoms. They also contain insoluble fibres associated in the prevention of heart disease.

Beets contain an excellent source of folate, a Vitamin B complex that can reduce a woman's risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect (such as spinal bifida) if consumed before conceiving and during early pregnancy.

Folate may also reduce the risk of cervical and colon cancer. It may also contribute to a healthy heart.

Classification

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Chenopodiaceae

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