The History and Benefits of Beetroots
Article at a Glance
- Beets are a one-of-a-kind vegetable. Their rich purple-red color comes from a type of natural plant pigment called betalains.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When beets were first cultivated by the Ancient Greeks and Romans along the Mediterranean coast, the red root we know today wasn’t even part of the meal. Those first beet-eaters only ate beet stems and leaves (a close cousin of hearty greens such as swiss chard). It wasn’t until the mid-16th century that beetroots were cultivated for consumption in Europe. However, it took two centuries – and the discovery that beets grew well in the winter – to gain popularity in Northern countries.
Since then, beets have been eaten and used for a variety of purposes in countries around the world. In the 1700s, scientists developed a method of extracting sucrose from beets. Because cane sugar production requires about 4 times more water than beet sugar, beets came to provide about 20 percent of the world’s sugar.
Perhaps most importantly, researchers found that beets are one of the only foods that contain betalains, a natural pigment that fights inflammation and oxidation in the body.
Today, beets spark a passionate reaction. Many people love them, while others are put off by the earthy flavor. Whatever your feelings about beets, at 18 Chestnuts, we know two things to be true. First, beets contain a variety of unique and important nutritional benefits. Second, our Beetroot Apple Soup is an easy and delicious way to include these nutrients in your diet.
The Health Benefits of Beetroots
Beets are a one-of-a-kind vegetable. Their rich purple-red color comes from a type of natural plant pigment called betalains. According to betalains contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. These help to reverse oxidative stress and chronic inflammation throughout the body.
Beets are one of just a few natural foods that contains betalains. (Swiss chard – another ingredient in our Beetroot Apple Soup – also has betalains.) Beets deliver folate, potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamin C and many other essential nutrients. Beetroots have also been found to reduce blood pressure, increase cerebral function, and improve athletic performance.
Eat More Beets With Our Beetroot Apple Soup
Do you want to eat more beets? Try our Beetroot Apple Soup! We combine beets, apples, swiss chard and leeks with a touch of horseradish for a balanced and satisfying bowl. The bright red flavor and smooth texture of our beet soup provide the body with many essential nutrients. The best part: it’s delicious!
Enjoy our sustainably-sourced Beetroot Apple Soup hot or cold, at any time of year. Sign up for a soup delivery subscription and savor the art of soup!
18 Chestnuts crafts delicious, plant-based soups that deliver on nutrition and flavor. We offer soup subscriptions and one-time orders, as well as soup gift options. Whether you’re too busy to cook, want a nutritious option, have dietary restrictions or want to send soup to someone who needs a comforting meal, 18 Chestnuts is for you!
With a wide range of all-natural soup flavors including Beetroot Apple, Red Pepper Pomodoro, Carrot Ginger Dill, Butternut Squash & Pear, and Asparagus Shiitake, our soup will thrill your tastebuds. All 18 Chestnuts soups are dairy-free, low-glycemic, locally sourced and nutrient dense. Check out our soups and schedule your own gourmet soup delivery today!
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