Bright and clean, this healthy kefir beet spread will surprise and delight even the pickiest of eaters. Beets are a root vegetable with a rich color that sparks a craving for their earthy sweetness. The earliest sign of their cultivation was approximately 4,000 years ago in the Mediterranean region. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, ate beets to enhance her appeal. A natural source of tryptophan, beets are a building block for protein, serotonin, and the hormone melatonin.
Beets contain a substance called geosmin, which is responsible for that fresh soil scent in your garden following a spring rain. Humans are sensitive to geosmin, which explains why our beet response ranges from one extreme to the other.
High levels Of Nitrite
Beets contain high levels of nitrite, a compound that is converted to nitric oxide in your body that may help lower your blood pressure levels. Nitric oxide has been shown to relax constricted arteries, allowing them to expand and improve blood flow.
High in Manganese
Manganese is found in small amounts in bones, the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Studies have shown that people with arthritis and diabetes have lower levels of manganese in their blood. Research has even shown that those with higher blood levels of manganese are more protected from bad cholesterol than those with lower levels of manganese.
Good Source of Potassium and Fiber
Potassium plays a vital role in fluid balance and controlling electrical activity in the heart and muscles. Higher potassium intake has also been associated with lower rates of stroke and may reduce the risk of congenital heart disease.
A large-scale study conducted by Harvard has also shown that young adults who eat high fiber foods may have lower risks of breast cancer compared to those with less dietary fiber.
Support Natural Detoxification
Beets contain the unique concentrations of the phytonutrients betanin and vulgaxanthin, which support your body’s natural detoxification processes. Beets have also been shown to stimulate your liver, which helps remove toxins from your blood.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Plain Lowfat Kefir
- 1 large beet, roasted, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 Tbsp orange juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Directions
- Combine all ingredients together in a food processor and process until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Serve with pita, crackers, or sliced veggies.
