Vitalizing Beetroot Juice - Wellness with Taryn

Move over energy drinks, nature has a kick-ass alternative that”ll blow your mind! Beetroot juice, yup!!! Hardy, earthy beetroot juice.

Sportsmen and women all over the world are slowly figuring out the amazing effects of beetroot juice, and they massive impact it has while exercising. Beside the effect a plant-based, natural diet has on performance, studies have shown that beetroot juice has an amazing effect that boosts energy and thus performance.

So why does beetroot have these amazing benefits?

Beetroots contain a large amount of inorganic nitrates. When consumed, the body transforms these nitrates into nitrites, and then into nitric oxide. This nitric oxide has two major effects on an athlete:

it causes blood vessels to dilate so that you can provide more blood to them, allowing more oxygen flow
enables mitochondria to work more efficiently, so they are able to create the same energy while consuming less oxygen

Definitely worth adding a fresh beetroot juice to your morning breakfast, religiously. Studies have shown that 500ml of beet juice each day may lead to a 15% increase in the time taken to reach exhaustion. There are also some great raw beet powders, which you can add to smoothies, as an alternative to beetroot juice.

This beetroot juice is refreshing and delicious, and great for the whole family. Perfect for kiddies, and great for endurance athletes. What a great all-rounder! (Obviously if your an athlete, you may want to increase the beetroot quantity to get the maximum effect)

Ingredients

2-3 Medium Raw Beetroots (Washed and rinsed, chopped into 1/4’s)
2 Apples (Green or Red – Washed and chopped into 1’4’s)
1 Large Carrot (Washed and rinsed)
1 1-inch Knob of Fresh Ginger
1 Small Lemon (Washed and chopped into 1/4’s)
1 Small Lime (Washed and chopped in half)(Cut off a sliver for decor)
Optional additions – Kale, Spinach, Orange, Celery, Cucumber)

Recipe

Ensure all veggies and fruits are thoroughly washed and rinsed. You needn’t worry about peeling them, and the juicer will handle that.

Juice all and dilute with water, until the desired sweetness is required. If you’re new to juicing and have quite a sweet tooth, don’t dilute it too much. If your sensitive to sugars, like me, ensure you dilute well.

Serve with crisp and cold ice and enjoy!