Health Benefits of Radish (Muli)

About Radish/Muli

The radish or muli is a root vegetable belongs to the Brassicaceae family, found and consumed all over the world. It is found in many varieties, sizes, shapes (round, long, oval) and colors (white, purple, red, pink, gray-black, green, yellow and etc) according to the season and duration of cultivation. Some varieties are grown only for getting seeds and oil of seeds.

Generally it is eaten raw in the salads and vegetable of its leaves. It tastes sweet and bitter. They available in the summer season from the month of April to the June and in the winter season from October to the January. Seed pod varieties is grown to get radish seeds.

Benefits of Radish/Muli

Benefits of White Radish

Radish or muli, its leaves, seeds and seeds oil has variety of health benefits and used for the treatment of various diseases or problems. All the beneficial effects of the radish are mentioned below:

Treats Jaundice

Radish is used for years to treat jaundice as it acts as a good detoxifier for the liver and stomach.

Purifies Blood

It helps in purifying the blood as well as eliminating body toxins and waste through urine.

Removes Excess Bilirubin

• It removes excess bilirubin if eaten during jaundice and helps to keep its production under level.

Reduces RBCs Destruction

• It prevents the red blood cells from unnecessary destruction as well as enhances the fresh oxygen supply to the blood for better transport all over the body.

Facilitates Digestion

• Radish is considered as having more roughage and fibers which helps in facilitating digestion, treating constipation, diarrhea and water retention that’s why it is greatly used to treat piles and its symptoms.

Treats Urinary Disorders

• As it is a very good diuretic (increases urine production), it is used to treat the urinary disorders.

Reduces Burning Sensation

• It reduces the inflammation and burning sensation while passing urine.

Removes Body Toxins

• It prevents the kidneys and urinary system from infection and other disorders by removing excess toxins from the body.

Reduces Risk of Heart Diseases

• It is considered as having good source of the anthocyanins (flavonoids, responsible for its color) which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Reduces Inflammation

• It has anti-inflammatory property which reduces the inflammation during any infection.

Treats Cancer

• It is good detoxifier having high level of vitamin C, folic acid and flavonoids which are very helpful in treating various types of cancer (intestinal, colon, stomach, kidney and oral cancer).

Inhibits Cancerous Cells Production

• It is packed with the antioxidants and isthiocyanates which can cause cancer cell death, inhibit its production and enhance their elimination from body.

Prevents from Hypertension

• As it is good source of potassium, it helps in maintaining the blood pressure under control. It also reduces the blood pressure in the person with hypertension as it relaxes the blood vessels and maintains the blood flow.

Regularizes Bile Production

• It assists in the good digestion as it maintains the bile production and protects liver and gallbladder.

Treats Insect Bites

• As it has anti-pruritic property, it is very effective in treating insect bites and bee stings. It lessens the pain and swelling from the bite area as well as soothes the affected area.

Prevents Body from Dehydration

• It high water content helps in maintaining the body moisture level and preventing from the dehydration.

Relieves Sore Throat

• It also helps in relieving the respiratory problems and sore throat by relieving congestion and clearing sinuses.

Boosts Immune System

• Its high vitamin C content boosts the immune system health if eaten regularly. It prevents from the common infections like cold and cough.

Strengthens Blood Vessels

• It also contributes in the creation of collagen which strengthens the blood vessels and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and thus heart diseases.

Cures Fever

• It lowers the body temperature during fever and relieves the body inflammation.

Relieves Inflammation

• It has anti-congestive property which helps to relieve from disorders like bronchitis, asthma, irritation of nose and throat, allergies and etc.

Regulates Metabolism

• It is a good appetizer, laxative and metabolism regulator. It helps in treating headaches, acidity, nausea, obesity, whooping cough, gastric problems, gall stones and heartburn.

Prevents from Ageing

• Its high vitamin C also prevents the body from the harmful free radicals, cancers, inflammation and early ageing.

Provides Cooling Effect during Summer

• Radishes are the natural food having cooling effect on the body which decreases down the excess body heat during summer season.

Benefits of Black Radish

• It is mostly preferred variety of the radish for the treatment of jaundice. Its leaves are also chewed or eaten as vegetable by cooking it for treating jaundice.

Benefits of Red Radish

Loaded with Healthy Nutrients

• Red radish is loaded with the healthy nutrients like vitamin E, A, C, B6, K, antioxidants, fiber, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and manganese which have their own health benefits.

Energizes Body

• Its carbohydrate and protein contents help in keeping the body energized all time and take out fatigue and body aches as it has anti-inflammatory property.

Provides Relief from Sinus Problems

• It works as a natural decongestant and has an antibacterial and antiviral property which helps in relieving the sinus problems. Eating red radishes salad by mixing with olive oil, black pepper, salt and garlic opens up closed sinuses and relieves pressure in head.

Treats Constipation and Hemorrhoid

• It natural laxative effect provides relief from the constipation and hemorrhoid.

Prevents from many Problems

• It prevents from various problems such as cancer, asthma, eczema, arthritis and skin problems like dryness, acne, itchiness, bug bites and etc.

Keeps Kidney Healthy

• It keeps the kidneys healthy and well functioning.

Benefits of Radish Leaves

Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals

• Radish leaves contains more vitamins and minerals that’s why they should not be discarded but used as vegetable.

Relieves Constipation

• Radish leaves vegetable contains high dietary fibers and less fat thus helps in digestive system making healthy and reliefs from constipation.

Removes Weakness

• Eating its vegetable on regular basis helps in enhancing the hemoglobin level and fighting with tiredness and fatigue.

Dissolves Stones

• Drinking juice of the radish leaves helps in dissolving the stone in bladder and making urine passage easy.

Treats Piles

• Taking muli leaves powder (dried in shadow) with equal amount of sugar or eating muli leaves vegetables helps in treating piles.

Benefits of Radish Seeds

Treats Leucoderma

• The detoxifying and anti carcinogenic properties of the radish seed make it best for the treatment of Leucoderma. Applying the powdered radish seeds soaked in the vinegar (also ginger juice or cows urine) on the white patches assists in treating Leucoderma.

Removes Bladder or Kidney Stones

• Eating muli seeds three to four times a day helps in removing bladder or kidney stones.

Regulates Menstrual Cycle

• It also helps in treating irregularity of the menstrual cycle among women.

Benefits of Radish Juice

Fights with Infections

• Drinking its juice with black salt helps to fight with infections because of its good disinfecting property.

Nourishes Body

• It contains all the vitamins and minerals required to nourish the body health.

Benefits of Radish Juice for Skin

Treating various Skin Problems

• It helps in treating various skin problems such as leucoderma. It is beneficial in both ways whether it is applied directly or eaten.

Makes Skin Healthy and Glowing

• It has good level of vitamin C, zinc, phosphorus and B group vitamins; it helps in making the skin healthy, supple, glowing and soft.

Hydrates Body

• Its high water level maintains the normal moisture level of the skin.

Good Cleanser

• Crushed radish is also used as a good cleanser and face pack.

Prevents from Skin Disorders

• It has disinfectant property which keeps the skin away from the skin disorders such as skin dryness, rashes, acne, pimple and cracks.

Repair Damaged Cells and Improves Cells Production

• The vitamins A and K are also present in radish which prevents the skin from various disorders. Regular consumption of it helps in better cell production and repair.

Keeps Skin, Hair and Nails

• Iron availability in it helps in blood formation and maintains the health of skin, hair and nails. Consumption of iron rich food on a daily basis gives improves general appearances.

Benefits of Radish Juice for Hair

Prevents Hair Loss

• If eaten regularly, it helps in fighting with the hair loss problems as well as stimulates the hair growth and strengthens hair roots and follicles.

Removes Dandruff

• It helps to get rid from the dandruff problems whether it is eaten or applied directly on the scalp. Rubbing the radish juice on the scalp helps in removing dandruff.

Makes Hair Shiny and Strong

• Eating or drinking its juice makes the hair shiny and strong.
• Its iron content makes the hair healthy and long.

Makes Hair Smooth

• Its high water content maintains the smoothness and hydration level of the hair.

Benefits of Radish in Weight Loss

Low Calorie Food

• It makes the stomach feeling full by satisfying the hunger without adding calorie count. It has very low carbohydrates, high level of fibers, low glycemic index and lot of water.

Regulating Bowel Movements

• It aids a lot in the weight loss strategy by regulating the bowel movements and increasing the metabolism process.

Benefits of Radish in Diabetes

Maintains Blood Sugar Level

• As it is a vegetable crop having low glycemic index, it does not increase the blood sugar level. It regulates the sugar absorption into the bloodstream thereby maintains the blood sugar level among diabetics.

Benefits of Radish in Pregnancy

Nourishes Mother and Baby

• It has folates and iron which helps during pregnancy to maintain the red blood cells count and prevents the infant from various birth defects.

Regulates Vitals in Mother

• It regulates the blood sugar levels and blood pressure during pregnancy.

Nutritional Benefits of Radish/Muli per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 16 Kcal

Carbohydrate: 3.40 g

Protein: 0.68 g

Fat: 0.10 g

Dietary Fiber: 1.6 g

Sugar: 1.86 g

Vitamins

Thiamine: 0.012 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.165 mg

Folates: 25 µg

Niacin: 0.254 mg

Pyridoxine: 0.071 mg

Riboflavin: 0.039 mg

Vitamin A: 7 IU

Vitamin C: 14.8 mg

Vitamin K: 1.3 µg

Electrolytes

Sodium: 39 mg

Potassium: 233 mg

Minerals

Calcium: 25 mg

Copper: 0.050 mg

Iron: 0.34 mg

Magnesium: 10 mg

Manganese: 0.069 mg

Phosphorus: 20 mg

Fluoride: 6 µg

Zinc: 0.28 mg

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß: 4 µg

Lutein-zeaxanthin: 10 µg

Selection and Storage of Radish

Always select fresh, medium-sized, heavy and firm radish with proper root and green leaves. Avoid buying radish having cracked skin or cuts or bruised. Wash them thoroughly under tap water to remove dust and soil. Store it with its leaves which help it in storing for many days. It can also be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator up to a week.

How to Enjoy

Muli parantha, muli pickles and muli salad are some of the famous Indian dishes. Its leaves are cooked alone or in combination with spinach, turnip-greens, mustard leaves, bathua and etc to be used in soups, curries or vegetable recipes.

Disadvantages, Side Effects and Precautions of Radish

• Radishes have a plant based compound called goitrogens can cause problems of the thyroid gland like swelling and etc. It is avoided by the people having thyroid dysfunction.
• Eating radishes over the limit may cause digestive tract irritation.
• It is avoided by the people suffering from the gallstones.
• It is also avoided eating more during the pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Avoid eating boiled or raw radish while hungry.

How Much Radish to Eat a Day

It is difficult to limit the number of radish to eat a day as it depends on the age and health of the body. Eating radishes in high amount may cause various problems if the person is suffering from some disease or ill health. However, generally it is good to eat by everyone as it has low sodium, low sugar, no cholesterol, high potassium, calcium, iron, vitamins and fibers.

Health Benefits of Vegetables

Benefits of Vegetables

This article would help you to easily find an answer of the question “Why vegetables are counted as a part of the balanced diet”.

Vegetable are the natural and healthy gifts from the nature which you can easily get it’s all the health benefits by simply adding them to your daily diet. Vegetables are the simple means of reducing the risk of various chronic diseases, ageing, bone problems, eye problems, hair problems and other lots of problems which may deeply interfere in the normal life of the human beings. Vegetables have lots of healthy and essential body nutrients which are vital to the health as well as body maintenance.

I have mentioned below the key reasons of why adding vegetables to the daily diet without any ignorance:

• Vegetables come under the “must to eat food” category because of its richness in the nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers, folates, folic acid, fatty acids, essential oils, phytonutrients and other plant based nutrients.
• Potassium found in it maintains the healthy blood pressure whereas dietary fibers reduce the blood cholesterol level and lowers down the risk of heart diseases.
• Folate and folic acid maintains the blood hemoglobin level by balancing the number of healthy red blood cells.
• It reduces the risk of birth defects among infants like neural tube defects and spina bifida during pregnancy when fetal development takes place.
• It maintains the vital roles and normal functioning of various body systems by delivering them proper nutrients.
• It manages proper weight because of its low fats and calories content, high level of dietary fibers and vitamins and etc.
• It prevents all the major body organs like heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen, stomach, large intestine, eyes, sex organs and etc.
• Soluble fibers found in it (gum, pectin, psyllium and etc) which easily gets absorbed in water and forms a gel-like matrix which easily absorbs all the bile acids and bad cholesterol (which gets eliminated as a byproducts out of the body).
• It lowers down the risk of cancer development in the body as it contains lots of anticancer compounds (isothiocyanates, glucosinolates and etc).
• It boosts the immune system, reduces the risk of obesity, type-2 diabetes, kidney stones and bone problems.
• Vegetables are rich source of antioxidants (vitamin C, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, quercetin, lutein, anthocyanins and etc) which prevents from age related problems like cataracts, memory loss, arthritis, macular degeneration of the retina, early ageing and etc.

Health Benefits of Fruits

Benefits of Fruits

Fruits are naturally found everywhere on the earth in sufficient amount as a healthy gift from the God to the human fraternity to stay healthy whole life. They are delicious, healthful and beautiful too having rich amount of all the vitamins, minerals, folates, antioxidants, phytonutrients and other essential nutrients for the body required to fight with chronic health problems and maintain good health. Some of the points are mentioned below answering your question of “why it is very necessary to add fruits to your daily diet”:

• Healthy nutrients found in fruits prevent from the heart diseases, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, vision loss, and cancer and etc health problems.
• Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibers and phytochemicals found in it promote good health and prevents from early ageing.
• Fruits are the powerhouse of all the healthy nutrients and energy having disease fighting capability.
• It reduces the risk of obesity, overweight and type-2 diabetes.
• Fruits are rich in potassium lower down the blood pressure and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss.
• Fruits are rich source of dietary fibers thus reduces the risk of constipation and diverticulitis.
• It repairs the body tissues, induces better body growth, helps quick healing of wounds and makes teeth, gums, skin and hair very healthy.
• Folates found in it help making red blood cells and prevents from many blood related problems.
• They are rich in anti-oxidants and poly-phenolic flavonoids which protects from stress, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancers, free radicals, osteoporosis, age-related macular degeneration and other ageing related ailments and etc.
• It enhances the digestive system health by maintaining the regular bowel movements and relieving constipation.
• It enhances better school performance among kids and children by enhancing their body stamina, brain power and mind concentration level.
• It reduces the risk of birth defects among infants if eaten by the pregnant women.
• It prevents from the hair loss, bone loss, skin problems and other immune system problems.

Benefits of Summer Fruits

This article would help you all to really identify your answer for the question “How summer fruits aid lots of benefits to the health”.

Varieties of healthy summer fruits are easily available at affordable prices in the nearby market areas. They can be eaten in variety of ways such as summer fruit recipes, beverages, juices, soup, salad, ice-cream, whole fruit and etc. Summer fruits are very healthy as they have more water content, vitamins, antioxidants, phyto-chemicals, minerals and dietary fibers which keep body moisturized and healthy during whole hot summer season.

Answering points clarifying the above questing are mentioned below:

• Summer fruits have 80% to 90% of the water content providing skin a healthy, radiant, glowing and moisturized look.
• They are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C and antioxidants which provide body required amount of vitamin A, disease fighting ability and prevents from ageing.
• As they are rich in water and fibers, they help in relieving constipation and other digestive issues.
• They also aid in weight loss strategy, metabolism and digestion improvement.
• They help in maintaining normal hemoglobin level during anemia, remove fatigue and reduce high cholesterol level.
• They hydrate the body very well when the sun rays become at its highest peak during whole summer season.
• They have natural sugars which do not harm the body and enhance body stamina.
• They have ability to reduce the risk of many health issues like anemia, skin diseases, cancer, fevers, urinary tract infections, headache, earache, heart problems, indigestion, constipation and many more.
• Vitamin C, antioxidants, beta carotene, phytochemicals and anthocyanins found in the summer fruits help in eliminating harmful free radicals from the body and reduce the risk of early ageing.
• Some of the summer fruits have ellagic acid which has ability to inhibit carcinogenic cells growth in the body.
• They enhance blood flow to the whole body, lower down the blood pressure and helpful in preventing from the erectile dysfunctions and peripheral vascular diseases.
• They have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties provide relief from the burns, arthritis, muscle strains and enhance early wound healing.
• They are the natural home remedy and prevent from the variety of gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, flatulence, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and etc.
• They boost the brainpower and prevent from the age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.

Benefits of Winter Fruits

This article would help you all to find the simple answer of the question “Why it is very necessary to eat fruits during winter season as well”.

Winter fruits are fruits having amazing benefits for the health and easily available in affordable prices in the market to which everyone can have access. Wide variety of winter fruits can be saved for more weeks in the winter season as they become of high quality. They loaded with the high level of vitamin C which helps people to have ability to fight against the common health issues of the winter like cold, cough and flu. Winter fruits plays very great role by boosting the body immune level of the person.

Some of the points are mentioned below clarifying answer of the above question:

• Winter fruits are overloaded with the antioxidants, vitamin C and anthocyanins which enhances the immunity level, makes skin healthy, soft and supple and prevents from variety of winter season infections.
• They are rich sources of the iron, phytonutrients, polyphenols and high dietary fibers which help in fighting with cardiovascular diseases.
• They helps in managing the hemoglobin level in the body among anemic patients, protects their body from free radicals damage and other side effects of low hemoglobin.
• They can be eaten as a salad, soup, juice, whole fruit or by another means and amazingly all form of them provides same health benefits.
• Winter fruits are very good for the heart, kidney, liver, stomach, brain and other important organs as they maintain the functioning and prevents from illnesses.
• They are rich source of the B group vitamins, vitamin A and essential minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium and etc which have their own benefits.
• Potassium rich winter fruits help in maintaining the normal blood pressure during winter and prevents from the high blood pressure.
• They help our body in the detoxification, cells regeneration and body cleansing.
• They become low in calories, low in fat, high in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and etc which are required by the body for optimum health.
• They contain both soluble (reduce high cholesterol level) and insoluble dietary fibers (help in digestive system).They also prevent from the stress, piles and bowel cancer.
• They prevent from the early ageing by rejuvenating our body cells, tissues and organs by offering proper amount of the essential nutrients.
• Winter fruits are also rich source of vitamin K which prevents from the blood clotting and thus stroke and heart diseases.

Health Benefits of Beetroot (Chukandar)

About Beetroot/Chukandar

Beetroot or Chukandar is also famous by the name garden beet, table beet, red beet, golden beet or commonly as a beet in the North America. The various varieties of the beetroot are commonly found in Europe, North America and Central America.

It can be eaten raw as a salad, roasted or boiled as a cooked vegetable by mixing oil and vinegar. In the Eastern Europe it is taken as a soup as a very popular dish. Whereas in India, it is eaten as chopped, boiled, cooked or spiced pickle of the beet. Pickled beet is also a traditional food in the South America.

The green leafy part of the beet can also be eaten just like spinach. One of the most famous contents of the beetroot called Betanins (found in the root) is used as red food colorants. Eating beetroot may change the urine color to pink in some people.

Beetroot

Benefits of Beetroot/Chukandar

I was always encouraged by my mother and my grandmother to add some beetroot in my diet because of its variety of beneficial importance. It is a very good natural antidote for the anemia, it also enhances the physical endurance of the person to work out more. Here I am pointing all the beneficial aspects of the beetroot and answering too that why you should also add some beetroot in your diet:

Controls Blood Pressure

• Beetroot aids in controlling the blood pressure as it is a nitrates rich vegetable (nitrates then converted to the nitrites and nitric oxides) which relaxes the arteries and helps in reducing the blood pressure.

Prevents Plaque Formation in Arteries

• Eating beetroot regularly helps in preventing the plaque formation and bad cholesterol as it is a vegetable having high amount of soluble fibres and antioxidants like betacyanin (provides color to the beetroot) and flavanoids.

Prevents Deposition of Bad Cholesterol

• These antioxidants prevent the deposition of bad cholesterol in the artery walls by just reducing the oxidation of bad cholesterol and thus protect the heart from possible heart attacks and stroke.

Makes Bones and Teeth Strong

• Beetroot or Chukandar is a great source of minerals like silica which is very helpful in beating the osteoporosis. Silica is a significant component required for the body to use calcium which makes the bones and teeth healthy.

Keeps Blood Sugar under Control

• Beetroot also keeps the diabetes under check, since beetroot is fat free and low in calories as well as with medium Glycemic Index. Because of its medium glycemic index it slowly releases the sugar into the blood and thus keeps the blood sugar level normal.

Treats Anemia

• Eating beetroot properly helps in treating the anemia as it is a good source of lot of iron which helps in making the haemagglutinin (part of blood which carries oxygen and nutrients to the body parts).

Boosts Energy Level

• Beetroot increases the physical body endurance by boosting the energy level and relieving the fatigue because of its nitrate content which dilates the arteries and enhance proper oxygen transportation to the body parts.

Improves Sexual Health

• Beetroot is famous as a “Natural Viagra” as it enhances and improves the sexual health and stamina. As it is rich in nitrates which release the nitric oxide to the body and relax the blood vessels, it increases the blood flow to the genital organs. Another aspect, it is the good source of boron which is very important for the human sex hormone production.

Prevents from Cancer

• Regular eating habit of the beetroot protects the person from various cancers (like breast and prostate) because of its betacyanin content. Betacyanin triggers the slow tumor growth.

Regularizes Bowel Movements

• It keeps the person away from the constipation, makes the stomach healthy and regular bowel movements due to the high soluble fibres which work as a laxative and has cleansing effect on the colon.

Boosts Brain Power

• Beetroot has capability to boost the brain power and protect from the dementia due to its nitrate content which increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood to the body parts. Nitrate also releases the nitrite which makes the better neural impulses transmission and boosts the brain power.

Protects from Alzheimer’s Disease

• Its folic acid content also protects from the Alzheimer’s disease.

Prevents from Liver Disorders

• It has medicinal effects on the body and prevents from the liver disorders through the detoxification process.

Increases Antioxidant Enzymes Level

• The soluble fibres available in the beetroot increase the antioxidant enzymes level in the body (glutathione peroxidase), enhance the number of WBC and keep the intestinal tract healthy.

Rich Source of Essential Nutrients

• Its high vitamins and minerals contents (like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, fiber, vitamins A, B, C, beta-cyanine, beta carotene, folic acid and etc) is very beneficial for the healthy growth and development of the body for all ages.

Relaxes Mind

• Chukandar has betaine which is very helpful in treating the depression and tryptophan which helps in relaxing the mind and makes a person able to have sense of well-being.

Acts as a Stomach Acid Tester

• It is used as a stomach acid tester in order to test the stomach acid levels.

Energy Booster

• It high carbohydrate content provides instant energy to the body.

Rich Source of Phytonutrients

• Phytonutrients (betanin and vulgaxanthin) found in the beetroot acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying agent support.

Maintains Eye Health

• The carotenoid phytonutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin plays a great role in maintaining the eye health.

Prevents from Cancer

• The betanin availability in the beetroot prevents both the skin and liver from developing tumour as it expels the cancer causing agents.

Destroys Free Radicals

• The antioxidant property of the beetroot prevents from the ageing by destroying the free radicals.

Prevents from Acidity

• It provides relief from the hypochlorhydria, in which the stomach acidity increases, because of its high fiber content.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

• Its magnesium content provides instant relief from the muscle tension and thus reduces the stress and anxiety.

Provides Relief from Menstrual Problems

• Eating beetroots regularly provides relief from the menstrual problems, tooth aches, headache, backache and other problems.

Prevents DNA Damage

• Beetroot also prevents the cell and DNA damage in the body.

Benefits of Beetroot and its Juice during Pregnancy

Provides Better Nourishment to Baby

• It has amazing beneficial effects for the pregnant women and her unborn babies as it is the richest source of folic acid.

Prevents Baby from Spina Bifida

• Folic acid is very necessary component for the proper formation of the spinal cord in baby and prevents the child from spina bifida (congenital spinal cord disorder).

Energy Booster for Mother

• Beetroot is also a energy booster helps the mother by providing extra energy essential during pregnancy.

Benefits of Beetroot Juice

Instant Energy Booster

• Drinking beetroot juice on daily basis boosts the body performances and increases the muscle strength during exercises because of its magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamins C, A, B6 and folic acid contents.

Keeps Liver Healthy

• Beetroot juice is known as the liver protective food as it has medicinal effect on the liver.

Improves Blood Flow

• Beetroot juice is rich in antioxidants and nitrates which enhance the blood flow all over the body like heart, brain, muscles and etc.

Protects from Heart Diseases

• Taking beetroot juice on regular basis normalizes the blood pressure and prevents from many heart diseases.
• One or two cups juice of beetroot a day is enough to get blood pressure normal.

Prevents from Calcium Deposition into Body

• Raw oxalic acid is found in beetroot juice which helps to remove the calcium deposits from the body and provides relieve from arthritis, varicose veins, kidney stones and etc.

Delays Age Related Problems

• Beetroot juice helps in boosting the body immune system and fighting with inflammation. It protects from all the age related degeneration.

Provides Relief from Fever

• Beetroot juice also provides relief from the glandular fever (or Epstein Barr infection).

Benefits of Beetroot for Wight Loss

Prevents from Obesity

• Its high fibers content and low calories aid a lot in weight loss strategy. It prevents a person from being obese and overweight.

Benefits of Beetroot for Skin

Maintains Skin Health

• Beetroots have amazing benefits for the skin by providing all the essential nutrients to the body which assists in maintaining the healthy skin.

Cures Skin Problems

• Having beetroot juice habitually cures the skin inflammations such as the acne, pimples and boils.

Acts as Blood Purifier

• It works as a great blood purifier and cleanses the toxins from the body thus providing a healthy glow to the face skin. Directly applying its juice on skin removes the dead cells and makes the skin hydrated and elastic.

Makes Skin Smooth and Wrinkles Free

• Its powerful antioxidant property protects the skin from early ageing by deactivating the free radicals. It protects the skin from getting wrinkles and fine lines.

Prevents Skin from Sun Burn

• The lycopene found in the beetroot makes the skin elastic and protects from sun burn and skin cancer.

Removes Dark Spots

• Beetroot juice removes the dark spots from the skin when applied with multani mitti and provides skin a fair complexion.

Benefits of Beetroot for Hair

Promotes Healthy Hair Growth

• Beetroot has all the nutrients required for the healthy hair growth such as protein, carbohydrates, minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins like B and C.

Relieves Itchy and Dry Scalp

• Applying beetroot juice provides relief from the itchy scalp and dryness because of its anti-pruritic property. The enzyme found in the beetroot destroys the dead cells, dandruff, psoriasis and moisturizes the scalp.

Provides Natural Shades to Hair

• Applying beetroot juice with henna on the hair provides natural reddish-brown shades.

Improves Blood Circulation to Hair Follicles

• Its carotenoids content improve the hair quality, thicken the hair and provide shine to the hair by improving the blood circulation and nourishing the hair follicles.

Nutritional Benefits of Raw Beetroot/Chukandar per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 45 cal

Carbohydrates: 9.56 g

Protein: 1.61 g

Fat: 0.17 g

Dietary Fiber: 2.80 g

Sugars: 7.96 g

Vitamins

Folates: 109 µg

Thiamine: 0.031 mg

Riboflavin: 0.057 mg

Niacin: 0.334 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.155 mg

Pyridoxine: 0.067 mg

Vitamin A: 33 IU

Vitamin C: 4.9 mg

Vitamin E: 0.04 mg

Vitamin K: 0.2 µg

Electrolytes

Sodium: 78 mg

Potassium: 325 mg

Minerals

Calcium: 16 mg

Copper: 0.075 mg

Iron: 0.80 mg

Magnesium: 23 mg

Phosphorus: 38 mg

Manganese: 0.329 mg

Zinc: 0.35 mg

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß: 20 µg

Betaine: 128.7 mg

How to Select and Store the Beetroot

Buy firm, smooth and red-purple color beetroot from the market. Buying it with greens leafs attached makes easy to store it for three to four days at room temperature. Without leaves it can be stored in freeze for some weeks to maintain its flavor and texture.

Disadvantages and Side Effects of Beetroot

• The high level of homocysteine has harmful effect to the blood vessels thus may lead to the heart diseases, stroke, or other peripheral vascular diseases.
• High level of betanin in the body may change the urine and stool color to reddish. It may seem like hematuria (means the occurrence of blood in urine).
• As beetroot has oxalate so it is avoided by the person having kidney stones or bile duct stone.
• Beetroot or Chukandar juice acts as a good laxative and diuretic, so it may cause some intestinal or stomach problems.
• Having lot of beetroot juice may lower the blood pressure to a great extent and cause faintness and weakness.
• Drinking beetroot juice should be avoided by the patient suffering from the hypertension or urolithiasis.
• Taking concentrated beetroot juice may cause diarrhea.
• Beetroot juice has some allergic side effects such as the chills, fever, burning and itching sensation, rashes and etc so instantly consult your doctor.
• Over consuming of the beetroot juice by the pregnant or breast feeding mother may cause harm to the foetus because of its strong detoxifying effects.

How Much Beetroot to Eat Per Day

It is hard to say that how much beetroot should be eaten by the person a day. As the amount to eat a day may vary to the persons need according to their body type and problems exists. So, it is suggested that one should eat in limit as over eating of the beetroot may lead to some serious problems.