5 Benefits of Beet Greens on Your Health

If you've ever tried to eat healthier and bought beets, you might have missed something important. You see, while many of us use the beetroot, we often throw away the green leafy part. But here's the thing: those beet greens are full of vitamins and minerals that are really good for you. They give you lots of health benefits, and we've listed them below.

# Prevents Heart Disorders

100 grams of cooked beet greens pack in 909 mg of potassium, which meets 19.34% of your daily intake. Meeting your potassium needs can lower your blood pressure by removing excess sodium from the body. High sodium levels can elevate blood pressure and high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease.

In addition to this, studies have found that eating a potassium-rich diet can prevent strokes. In fact, one such study has found that people who ate the most potassium had a 24% lowered risk of stroke than those who had the least.

# May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is characterized by weak, hollow, porous bones linked to lowered levels of calcium. Studies have found that diets rich in potassium may prevent osteoporosis by reducing the amount of calcium-loss through urine. In fact, one such study has found that women who ate the most potassium had the greatest total bone mass.

# May Prevent The Formation Of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones form in concentrated urine and is often a result of elevated calcium levels in the urine. Studies have found that potassium lowers calcium levels in urine and prevents the formation of kidney stones. In fact, a 12-year study found that people who consumed the most potassium daily had a 35% lowered risk of kidney stones.

# May Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration

100 grams of cooked beet greens pack in 383 mcg of vitamin A (54.7% RDA), 1.81 mg of vitamin E (12.06% RDA), and 24.9 mg of vitamin C (38.3% RDA).14 Studies have found that all these nutrients combined offer protection against advanced age-related macular degeneration in people who were at high risk of the disease. However, it doesn’t offer the same for people with cataract.

# Keeps Skin Healthy

The vitamin C and E content in beet greens might make this leafy vegetable a great weapon against skin problems. Studies have found that vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and is critical for collagen synthesis. It also fights free radical damage due to sun exposure, especially in combination with vitamin E. In addition to this, both the vitamins keep skin well hydrated and wrinkle-free.