Over the years, I have benefited greatly from a holistic approach to the food I eat, and have found that when it comes to health and diet, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Recently, a loved one has been struggling with a series of health scares that include high blood pressure as an added risk factor. After a seemingly neverending series of tests, the solution is (you guessed it) largely dietary. With this in mind, let’s take a look at that precious heart-healthy root vegetable, the beet.

Studies have shown that beets (along with other leafy vegetables) contain high rates of inorganic nitrate, which is first converted into inorganic nitrite and finally nitric oxide when consumed. The result? Vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels), which lowers blood pressure. These same studies showed that a mere cup of beet juice is enough to confer these benefits. This is more than enough reason to toss a few beets into your juicer when next you make juice.

Other benefits of beets include improved exercise performance, increased blood flow to the brain in the elderly(which may fight dementia), and reduced hypertension to boot.

If juicing is not in your repertoire, fear not: it’s the season of the summer salad, and beets are a surprisingly versatile ingredient. Click through the links below for recipe ideas that utilize beets, and enjoy the many benefits these sweet veggies bring to the table.

Recipes:

http://www.mnn.com/food/recipes/stories/10-recipes-for-beets-that-celebrate-this-colorful-superfood

http://www.bonappetit.com/uncategorized/article/10-ways-to-cook-beets

For more on the health benefits of beets:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/cardiology/hypertension/38465

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/how-beetroot-can-help-reduce-high-bp-or-hypertension-p114/