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Looking to improve your immunity? Bring on the beets!

The beet is a powerhouse of nutrition offering amazing health benefits, including helping support the immune system. This extraordinary veggie can’t be “beet”!

Yeah. We know. Not everyone is part of the beet fan club. Some people adore the beet’s distinct taste while others cringe in horror at the sight of this vibrant root vegetable. However, before you snub the beautiful beet, its superhero nutrition deserves a second glance. For those of you already riding the beet train, congratulations! Your body and mind thank you.

The quirky and humble beet is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, vital for boosting health and IMPROVING IMMUNITY. Beets (root, stems, and leaves) contain Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, Antioxidants, and other important nutrients to promote a healthy immune system and help keep away pesky colds and flu viruses. Immunity-boosting foods, like citrus, red bell peppers, papaya, strawberries, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and BEETS help ensure a strong defense against bacteria, viruses, and infections. There are so many marvelous reasons to eat more beets!

Beets, especially the root portion, are quite versatile and have a long(ish) shelf life (as compared to some fresh produce) in the fridge. Plus - you can freeze beets, creating the perfect ready-to-use addition for smoothie and soup recipes. The root portion of the beet lasts longer than the leaves in the fridge; however, beet greens can be frozen as well and utilized for smoothies and soups.

Ready to give your immune system an extra boost with beets? Check out the 6 fascinating ways beets boost your immune system and 10+ Deliciously Healthy Beet Recipes to Improve Your Immunity.

IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH BEETS: 6 Ways Beets Boost Immunity

1. BEETS HAVE VITAMIN C

Most of us know that Vitamin C is crucial for building a strong immune system. We often reach for oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, and orange bell peppers, but did you know that there are other marvelous vegetables, like beets, that also contain Vitamin C and are great source for helping boost your immunity?

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient, a great support to cellular functions and strengthening immune defense. Our bodies don’t make Vitamin C, so we obtain this important vitamin from our diet. Of course, we can take Vitamin C in supplemental form, but it’s more beneficial for our bodies to absorb and utilize Vitamin C from foods. Beets (the root portion and the leaves) contain Vitamin C, so adding beets to your diet is another way to boost your Vitamin C intake!

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2. BEETS ARE RICH IN IRON

The beet, especially its gorgeous leafy greens, is a rich source of iron, key for creating healthy red blood cells and moving oxygen in your blood from the lungs to the tissues.

We often think of Vitamin C and Zinc being at the front of the battle-line against colds and viruses, but iron is also vital for improving immune function. Iron is essential for many biochemical reactions of immune and non-immune cells. Iron helps your body respond to infections.

Dark Leafy Greens, like Beet Greens (yes - the beet is edible from root to leaf), are packed with iron. When looking for ways to strengthen your immune system, add some beets (root or leaves) to your diet for extra immunity boosting nutrition.

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3. BEETS ARE HIGH IN ZINC AND OTHER TRACE MINERALS

Zinc, often found in many immunity boosting supplements and lozenges, is a well-known treatment during cold and flu season. This important mineral is a wonderful treatment for the common cold as well as for respiratory health. Zinc boosts immunity, greatly reducing immune deficiency.

The beautiful beetroot is a good vegetable source of zinc and other important trace minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Although high amounts of zinc is often found in meat and seafood, many nuts, fruits, and vegetables, like beets, also contain zinc. If you are looking for more ways to add more zinc to your diet (without supplements), a delicious beet smoothie or roasted beet salad is a marvelous way to improve your immune system.

4. BEETS ARE PACKED WITH FOLATE

Folate (also known as folic acid - the synthetic form) is an essential B-Vitamin, vital for maintaining healthy cells in our bodies and helping strengthen immune systems. This key vitamin is very important for growth and development during pregnancy and infancy; however, it also plays a crucial role in adult health because folate repairs and helps make DNA. A deficiency in folate puts immune systems at risk and could impair immune health.

Beetroot contains high levels of folate. Just one cup of beets (raw) equals almost 40% of your required daily value! Whether you eat beets raw, roast, or blend these quirky root vegetables, your body will say THANK YOU!

5. BEETS DETOXIFY THE LIVER

We all know that the liver plays a crucial part in helping remove toxins and detoxifying the body, but the liver also plays a huge role in promoting a strong immune system and helping fight against infection. A healthy liver is so vital for us that without it, we wouldn’t survive!

Beets are powerful detoxifiers due to the high levels of betalain (creating the red beet’s crimson pigment) which helps the liver process fats and other toxins. Detoxify your liver with beets and help support your hard-working immune system.

Yup - beets are such powerful detoxifers that you may notice a pink or red hue in the toilet bowl after consuming beets. Don’t be alarmed! It’s called BEETURIA (or as most of us call it: “pink pee panic!”), and it’s typically a natural harmless process.

6. BEETS CONTAIN ANTIOXIDANTS

The extraordinary red beet is a marvelous source of antioxidants, protecting our cells and tissues from inflammation and a reduced immune system. Studies show that “antioxidant nutrients commonly included in the diet such as vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, copper, iron and zinc improve different immune function exhibiting an important protective role in infections caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.”

Antioxidant-rich foods, like beets, help protect your body against infections and viruses. If your immune system is needing some extra love, add beautiful vibrant beets (especially red beets) to your diet.