Beets Pack A Powerful Nutritional Punch
SPRINGFIELD — Beets are available locally and fresh in Missouri from June to October, and can be found in the grocery store all year long according to Dr. Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
“This vegetable has an especially sweet taste when roasted because the naturally occurring sugars in the beet become concentrated. Beets are also available canned, and are popular as a pickled product,” said Duitsman.
When selecting fresh beets, look for smooth, firm skin. Choose small- to medium-sized beets as they will have the most flavor and be the most tender.
Not all beets are red. Beets come in a range of colors and sizes — from red, white, golden and yellow to candycane-striped Chioggia, and baby beets.
“I recommend buying beets with the greens still attached. The greens should be crisp and bright green with red veins running through them. Avoid beets that are so dark they almost look black, or if they have rough, pockmarked skin,” said Duitsman.
Beets can be stored unwashed in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to three weeks. Both the beets and their greens will last longer if, before storage, you cut the majority of the greens from the beet, leaving about two inches of the stem attached.
The greens should be stored in a separate container or plastic bag where they will keep fresh for about four days. The greens work very well in salads.
The deep red color of red beets comes from anthocyanins, which are phytonutrients which have been shown to protect against damage from carcinogens and may help prevent heart disease.
“Beets are rich in antioxidants, which are important for their cancer-fighting and health-promoting properties. Beets also contain high amounts of fiber, which can help maintain a healthy body weight and promote digestive health. Folate is another component of beets. Folate is important for DNA synthesis within our cells, for cell growth and metabolism, and especially for pregnant women,” said Duitsman.