You are what you eat is an especially relevant truism when it comes to diabetes. So, diabetics who tend to successfully manage their disease are often obsessive about the foods they allow into their body. However, one such food that many diabetics may navigate away from is beetroots because they are high in natural sugar. However, this delicious vegetable is a lot better for diabetics than they may realize. The sugar in beets are released slowly into your body and the vegetable is low in calories.
An antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid is found in beets has been proven to lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and assist in the deterrence of oxidative stress-induced changes that can occur with diabetics. Beetroot is also high in fiber, folate and potassium, and has a glycemic score of 64, which is a bit on the high side, but the natural sugars the vegetable contains are not absorbed quickly. The journal Nitric Oxide published a report in 2014 that beetroots are high in nitrate content and can improve the cognitive workings of a diabetic when consumed for two weeks. Take note, beetroot juice is an excellent source of betalain and neo beanin, nutrients that both help to lower glucose level and increase insulin sensitivity.
Other studies, including one in 2010 published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, noted that after adding half a liter of beet juice to the diet of healthy young men between the ages of 19 and 38, both their exercise performance and duration improved.
Juicing beets is an excellent way of adding the root to your diet. The deep red-colored juice is sweet to the taste and has a detoxifying effect on your body. Beet juice helps to ward off fatigue, helps improve digestion and even lower blood pressure, as well as improve heart function and increase levels of ‘good’ gut bacteria.
So don’t hesitate. Get out your juicer and start liquefying some beets or find a bottle of the stuff in your local health food store. You’ll be glad that you did.
