A beet, or beetroot, is a low fat food rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and B6. These small vegetables also contain high quantities of betalains, a potent antioxidant. The greens from beets have been found to contain an iron content that is higher than spinach. Beets possess many other great nutrients including: sulfur, sodium, copper, chlorine, calcium, iodine, natural sugars, potassium and bioflavonoids. If you need to add some dietary fiber, folic acid, complex carbohydrates, biotin, niacin or magnesium to your diet, then try drinking beet juice.

Due to their high content of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, beets have become highly researched. Research has shown that anyone needing to improve their health as well as cure and even prevent many illnesses and ailments should include beet juice in their daily diet.

As with anything, too much of a good thing can be bad; excessive consumption of beet juice can lead to digestive issues so stick to the following recipes to ensure a healthy amount of beets in your diet.

5 Recipes for Juicing Beets

If you do not own a juicer for beets, then consider investing in one in order to make the following juicing beets recipes. Different juicers call for different preparation methods so be sure to familiarize yourself with your own juicer before using it. When juicing beets, remember that you can juice the beet greens right along with the bulb for an extra nutritional boost!

Recipe 1: Beet and Apple Juice

• 2 beets
• 1 apple

Peel the beets and wash both ingredients with water. Peel the skin off the apple if you prefer. When you have turned on the juicer, add each of your ingredients one at a time until the ingredients are well blended. Drink immediately.

Recipe 2: Beet Cleanse Juice

• 2 beets
• 3 carrots
• ½ apple
• ½ cucumber
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 ginger slice

Wash and peel all of your fruits and vegetables. Add each ingredient into the juicer one at a time, pour your fresh juice and enjoy the cleanse.

Recipe 3: All Red and Orange Juice

• ½ sweet potato
• 1 carrot
• ½ red bell pepper
• 2 red beets
• 1 red apple

Be sure to thoroughly wash all of the fruits and vegetables you are using and peel the beets. Juice each ingredient one at a time and then stir them together before drinking.

Recipe 4: Beet Blast

• 1 red beet
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 carrot
• 3 red radishes
• 2 plum tomatoes
• 2 cups parsley leaves with stems
• 1 jalapeno pepper with ribs and seeds removed

Any ingredients that are organic can simply be washed if you do not wish to peel them. Add the ingredients one at a time to your juicer and enjoy the "fruits" (or juice) of your labor!

Recipe 5: Pineapple and Beet Juice

• 2 beets
• ½ cucumber
• 1 cup of pineapple flesh

Wash all of these ingredients well and don't forget to peel the beets. Turn on your juicer and carefully add each ingredient individually, and enjoy the results.

Health Benefits of Drinking Beet Juice

Beets are a wonder vegetable that can cure or alleviate several health diseases, or improve some health conditions, include:

1. Blood. The iron content in beets helps cool down your blood and purify it. This is a helpful for those who suffer from anemia.
2. Digestion. Beets contain complex carbohydrates that prevent blood sugar spikes and promote a healthy digestive process. Jaundice, vomiting, dysentery, hepatitis, and constipation can be treated and cured by consuming beet juice.
3. Cardiovascular Health. The natural nitrates found in beets help to significantly lower blood pressure in those who have high blood pressure, thus contributing to overall heart health.
4. Stress. People of all ages can suffer from oxidative stress. The betalains found in beets help to prevent this kind of stress.
5. Cholesterol. The nutrients found in beets, including niacin, help to naturally lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels.
6. Circulatory Issues. Beets can serve as a great solvent to inorganic calcium deposits that can build up in our bodies. They can help prevent varicose veins, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and many others.
7. Skin. Drink beet juice or apply it to the skin to help combat skin issues like inflammation, acne, dryness, dandruff, blemishes and pustules. Use this juice to promote healthy skin and hair growth as well.
8. Cancer. The betacyanin found in beet juice prevents the growth of cancerous tumors and helps to detoxify the body.
9. Stamina. Beets contain nitrate, which help regulate oxygen uptake so you do not feel tired or fatigued and can enjoy your favorite activities for longer periods.
10. Pregnancy. The folic acid in beets is always a recommended vitamin for pregnant women as it lowers the risks for babies to be born with spina bifida. Folate, a B vitamin found in beets, helps to prevent birth defects in babies.
11. Others. Beets can be used to help you lose weight, treat toothaches, ease menstrual problems, treat lumbago and cure headaches.

Warnings and Tips of Drinking Beet Juice

Although incredibly healthy, over-consumption of beets can lead to problems:

• Accumulate Metals. Too much beet juice consumption can lead to buildup of heavy metals like iron, copper, magnesium and phosphorus, damaging the liver and the pancreas.
• Produce Harmful Bacteria. If the beets you use for your juice are not treated for food-borne bacteria then you will be at risk. Also, clean your juicers after each use and only make enough juice for you to drink in one serving as bacteria can develop in fresh juice that sits for too long.

And you also need to drink beet juice rightly. Introduce beet juice slowly into your body to avoid shocking the system. Starting with half of a medium sized root is good. And move up to more as your body becomes acclimated.