Health Hotline Magazine | February 2023

O GANIC HEADQUA TE S ® FO THE LOVE OF O GANICS: BEETS Roses are red, beets are too, these roots are delicious, and so good for you! During this month of love, let us take time to care for By Morgaine Lee

ourselves. To nourish our bodies with the best of nature’s bounties, tomake choices that support our optimal health and that of those we love, to choose organic knowing it supports the wellbeing of the planet and us all. In the cold of winter, when things can be gloomy, there is perhaps no better veggie than beets to bring vibrance, deliciousness, and heart-loving nutrients to our plates. Incorporating beets into your diet is like sending your body little love notes.

Your Heart Health It’s themonth of love!What better time to show some extra care for your heart? Beets are an excellent source of dietary nitrates, which are quickly converted to nitric oxide (NO) in the body, a compound that relaxes blood vessels, which supports heart health. Studies show that incorporating beets into your diet, particularly through beet juice, promotes healthy blood pressure. , Beets are also a wonderful source of antioxidants, fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A andC. Pour a glass or serve up a bowl of that delicious Beet Detox Soup on the following page and bask in the nourishment beets provide to your heart (and your whole body)! Your Stellar Athleticism You can’t be beet! Numerous studies have shown drinking beet juice increases athletic performance and endurance. The increase in NO in the body from drinking beet juice supports the cardiorespiratory system, delivering oxygen more e ciently to your skeletal muscles as you train. The improved oxygenation also supports boosting your maximum anerobic capacity (VO2 max), or the amount of oxygen you take in during high-intensity exercise. Beet juice makes a great pre-workout drink; studies suggest drinking beet juice 90 minutes before a workout, as the benefits will peak two to three hours after consumption. , The Soil and You As a root vegetable, beets are exposed to all that is in the soil. A healthy, nutrient-rich soil is one teeming with microbes and fungi and free from toxic pesticides. Unfortunately, there are 45 di erent pesticides used in conventional beet farming, many of which are toxic to soil microorganisms, as well as to farmworkers and pollinators; they are also known to contaminate streams and groundwater. Choosing beets that are organically grown supports soil health, farmworker health, pollinator health, and ecosystem To: To: To:

health. When it comes to nourishment, choosing organic beets also gives you a higher nutrient content—a 2019 study found that organic beets have a higher content of betalains, compounds that support detoxification and reduce inflammation, polyphenols, and higher antioxidant activity than their conventional counterparts. Show your body and the planet some love by choosing organic! Love, Your Not-So-Secret Admirer, Organic Beets

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