More Beets Please: Pineapple-Beet Blast
Beets are famous for their ability to cleanse the blood making it a great tonic for the liver. They are high in many vitamins and minerals. These include calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, magnesium, fiber, folic acid, beta-carotene and Vitamins A, B and C. Beets can help your mental health. They contain tryptophan which relaxes the mind creating a sense of well being, similar to chocolate. Beets have zero fat content making them low in caloric intake. They are high in carbohydrates which make them a great instant energy choice. Beets are also known to act as an aphrodisiac, natures very own Viagra. They are high in natural nitrates which mean they increase blood flow expanding the walls of blood vessels therefore having a positive effect on reducing blood pressure. SEE BEET BLAST RECIPE BELOW:
Don’t throw away those beet greens! They are loaded with lutein which plays an important role in eye health. You can find them all year round. Bentalain is the pigment that gives beets their red color which has been shown to reduce chronic inflammation linked to a number of symptoms and disease. Beet juice has proven to help strengthen the immune system and detoxify the kidneys, liver and gall bladder. Be sure to use the beet tops since they contain more nutrients than the beet. Because of its powerful cleansing action it is best combine beet juice with other vegetables juices. If you do desire to drink pure beet juice then no more than 4 ounces at a time and dilute the juice with 2 ounces of filtered water. One more important fact: Beets cause the stool to turn red and the urine a reddish tinge, so don’t be alarmed!
Pineapple-Beet Blast
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
SERVINGS: 2
½ cup raw organic beets
1½ cups of frozen pineapple chunks
¼ cup organic celery leaves
1 cup raw almond milk
½ cup freshly squeezed organic orange juice
Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth. Enjoy!
Note: This recipe is from the July 2013 issue of Prevention Magazine but has been slightly altered making it a raw drink recipe