Unlocking the Healing Power of Beetroot: Nutritional Profile & Evidence-Based Health Benefits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/nhhyvk20Keywords:
Beetroot; Beta vulgaris; Nitrate; Betalains; Functional foods; Cardiovascular health; Antioxidants; Chemoprevention.Abstract
Background: Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a nitrate- and betalain-rich root vegetable increasingly recognized as a functional food with potential benefits for cardiovascular, metabolic, and oxidative stress–related disorders. However, translational gaps remain between experimental evidence and its routine clinical or dietary use. Objective: To synthesize current evidence on the nutritional profile, phytochemical composition, and evidence-based health effects of beetroot, with emphasis on its cardiometabolic, antioxidant, and potential chemopreventive roles, as well as limitations and safety concerns. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, focusing on human, animal, and in vitro studies evaluating beetroot’s nutrient composition, bioactive compounds (notably nitrates and betalains), functional food applications, and associated health outcomes. Key data on cardiovascular function, exercise performance, metabolic regulation, liver health, and cancer-related endpoints were summarized. Results: Beetroot and its derivatives provide substantial dietary nitrate, folate, potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and betalain pigments. Clinical and experimental studies indicate improvements in blood pressure, endothelial function, exercise efficiency, antioxidant status, and selected metabolic parameters. Preclinical data suggest antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines, alongside hepatoprotective and antimicrobial activities. Processing method and cultivar markedly influence nitrate and betalain retention. Excessive nitrate intake raises potential concerns regarding N-nitroso compound formation, though adverse effects in humans remain insufficiently characterized. Conclusion: Beetroot is a nutrient-dense functional food with promising cardiometabolic, antioxidant, and emerging chemopreventive properties. Standardized formulations and high-quality clinical trials are needed to define optimal doses, long-term safety, and targeted therapeutic applications.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Faseeha Saman, Muhammad Talha Bin Zahid, Vaneeza Noor, Umar Raza, Adeela Shahid, Ushna Maheen, Muhammad Talha (Author)
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