{"id":11633,"date":"2024-04-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/?p=11633"},"modified":"2024-04-12T04:24:30","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T04:24:30","slug":"no-beetroot-isnt-vegetable-viagra-but-heres-what-else-it-can-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/no-beetroot-isnt-vegetable-viagra-but-heres-what-else-it-can-do\/","title":{"rendered":"No, beetroot isn\u2019t vegetable Viagra. But here\u2019s what else it can\u00a0do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n CLICKMANIS\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\nLauren Ball<\/a>, The University of Queensland<\/a><\/em> and Emily Burch<\/a>, Southern Cross University<\/a><\/em><\/span>\n\n

Beetroot has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Supply issues in recent months have seen a shortage<\/a> of tinned beetroot on Australian supermarket shelves. At one point, a tin was reportedly selling on eBay for more than A$65<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

But as supplies increase, we turn our attention to beetroot\u2019s apparent health benefits.<\/p>\n\n

Is beetroot really vegetable Viagra, as UK TV doctor Michael Mosley suggests<\/a>? What about beetroot\u2019s other apparent health benefits \u2013 from reducing your blood pressure<\/a> to improving your daily workout<\/a>? Here\u2019s what the science says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s so special about beetroot?<\/h2>\n\n

Beetroot \u2013 alongside<\/a> foods such as berries, nuts and leafy greens \u2013 is a \n\u201csuperfood<\/a>\u201d. It contains above-average levels per gram of certain vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n\n

Beetroot is particularly rich in<\/a> vitamin B and C, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n

Most cooking methods don\u2019t significantly alter its antioxidant levels<\/a>. Pressure cooking does, however, lower levels of carotenoid (a type of antioxidant) compared to raw beetroot.<\/p>\n\n

Processing<\/a> into capsules, powders, chips or juice may affect beetroot\u2019s ability to act as an antioxidant. However, this can vary<\/a> between products, including between different brands of beetroot juice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is beetroot really vegetable Viagra?<\/h2>\n\n

The Romans are said to have used beetroot and its juice as an aphrodisiac<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

But there\u2019s limited scientific evidence to say beetroot improves your sex life. This does not mean it doesn\u2019t. Rather, the vast number of scientific studies<\/a> looking at the effect of beetroot have not measured libido or other aspects of sexual health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How could it work?<\/h2>\n\n

When we eat beetroot, chemical reactions involving bacteria and enzymes transform the nitrate in beetroot into nitrite, then to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps dilate (widen) blood vessels, potentially improving circulation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

The richest sources<\/a> of dietary nitric oxide that have been tested in clinical studies are beetroot, rocket and spinach. <\/p>\n\n

Nitric oxide is also thought to support testosterone<\/a> in its role in controlling blood flow before and during sex in men. <\/p>\n\n

Beetroot\u2019s ability to improve blood flow can benefit the circulatory<\/a> system of the heart and blood vessels. This may positively impact sexual function, theoretically in men and women. <\/p>\n\n

Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest there could be a modest<\/em> link between beetroot and preparedness for sex, but don\u2019t expect it to transform your sex life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else could it do?<\/h2>\n\n

Beetroot has received increasing attention over recent years due to its antioxidant and anti-tumour<\/a> effect in humans.<\/p>\n\n

Clinical trials have not verified all beetroot\u2019s active ingredients and their effects. However, beetroot may be a potentially helpful treatment<\/a> for various health issues related to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as cancer and diabetes. The idea is that you can take beetroot supplements or eat extra beetroot alongside your regular medicines (rather than replace them).<\/p>\n\n

There is evidence<\/a> beetroot juice can help lower systolic blood pressure (the first number in your blood pressure reading) by 2.73-4.81 mmHg (millimetres of mercury, the standard unit of measuring blood pressure) in people with high blood pressure. Some researchers say this reduction is comparable to the effects seen<\/a> with certain medications and dietary interventions.<\/p>\n\n

Other research<\/a> finds even people without high blood pressure (but at risk of it) could benefit.<\/p>\n\n

Beetroot may also improve athletic performance<\/a>. Some studies<\/a> show small benefits for endurance athletes (who run, swim or cycle long distances). These studies looked at various forms of the food, such as beetroot juice<\/a> as well as beetroot-based supplements<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

How to get more beetroot in your diet<\/h2>\n\n

There is scientific evidence to support positive impacts of consuming beetroot in whole<\/a>, juice<\/a> and supplement<\/a> forms. So even if you can\u2019t get hold of tinned beetroot, there are plenty of other ways you can get more beetroot into your diet. You can try:<\/p>\n\n