Are Pickled Beets Good for You? (2024)

FAQs

Are Pickled Beets Good for You? ›

Pickled beets are rich in B vitamins, from riboflavin and thiamine to niacin, folate, and B6. These vitamins are essential for optimal brain function, as they are passed through the blood-brain barrier to carry out their role in neurochemical synthesis.

Pickled beets are popular on salads or as a side or snack. These naturally sweet root veggies may have a number of health benefits, including improved digestion, physical performance, blood sugar levels, and heart health. However, you should avoid varieties with high levels of added salt or sugar.

The answer is yes! Pickled beets can offer several potential health benefits. If you want to boost your fiber intake or get more antioxidants in your diet, pickled beets may be a good option. Just remember to watch your sodium intake, as some brands of pickled beets can be high in sodium.

Beetroot's antioxidants have been associated with a lower risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease and dementia, and with supporting liver and kidney health. A bitter-sweet result of the pickling process, however, is that small amounts of these antioxidants are lost.

Roast Them

Roasting is an overall healthy cooking method with minimal vitamin loss, particularly vitamin C. Roasted beets are rich and sweet with slight mineral flavors. Remember to avoid long cooking times and high temperatures, as these can reduce nutrients. Try using smaller bulbs if you want to prepare them faster.

More research is needed, but pickled beets may help prevent certain inflammatory diseases. The flavonoids found in pickled beets are powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce inflammation and help boost your immune system.

Aunt Nellie's Pickled Beets contain no fat, saturated fat or cholesterol; they are kosher and gluten-free.

Pickled beets are a shelf-stable alternative to fresh beets, and are rich in iron, calcium, and potassium. An ancient athlete diet consisted of beets, as they've been long known as a powerhouse in the “superfood” category.

Nutrient Deficiencies and Cravings

One possibility for craving beets is a deficiency in certain nutrients found in this root vegetable. For example, if you are low in iron, your body may send signals to your brain in the form of a craving for beets or other iron-rich foods.

Moderately high in ‌carbohydrates‌ with 19 grams per half cup, pickled beets help fuel your brain, heart, nervous system and kidneys.

Do pickled beets affect blood pressure? ›

"Many people might not think that beets are a heart-healthy food, but, actually, beets contain a high level of nitrates, which have a blood pressure-lowering effect," says Guy.

Beetroot juice: Beetroot juice is a great way to detox your liver and improve its function. They are high in antioxidants and help to cleanse the blood. They also promote healthy liver function by helping to break down toxins. Try adding some beet juice to your diet for better liver health.

Red beets also contain phytosterols, chemical structures found in plants very similar to cholesterol, which can help lower the body's cholesterol levels by promoting cholesterol excretion, also decreasing risk of cardiovascular disease. Beets can also help with blood pressure.

How Beets Cleanse Your Colon. Beets are rich in antioxidants and high in fiber that can help pull toxins into the colon where they can be evacuated. Because fiber isn't digested by your body like other food components, such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates, it feeds friendly gut bacteria.

Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.

Both eating beets and drinking beet juice will give you anti-inflammatory betalains and other phytonutrients. If you're looking to enhance athletic performance, drink up. Juicing beets delivers a concentrated dose of nitrates, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. However, you lose the fiber when you juice the beets.

Canned beetroot are often half the cost of fresh beetroot. Having beetroot that are already cooked and ready-to-use is a time-saving benefit. With only a few exceptions, canned beetroot has about the same nutritional value as fresh beetroot.

Unfortunately, all of that comes with a high amount of sodium – 350 to 500 milligrams, depending on the brand and around 16 grams of sugar, about the same amount as four teaspoons of sugar. So if you eat pickled beets, keep the quantity small.