The health benefits and uses of beet leaves, also called beetroot greens.
1. Beetroot is a delicious vegetable which is known for its medicinal properties. However you can also eat the leaves and stems for some great benefits.
2. These parts of the plant often get cut off and thrown away, however they are very nutritious to eat.
3. Similar to spinach, these leaves contain lutein which is very good for improving vision, and maintaining healthy eyes.
4. They are also extremely rich in Vitamin K. This is very important for the body to maintain healthy bone mass.
5. They also contain valuable amounts of Vitamin A, B7 and C, protein, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron and manganese.
6. You can eat these by sautéing them in a pan with a little olive oil. Alternatively add them to your usual salads.
7. The stems are quite bitter, so I recommend cooking these in a little lime juice, clementine zest and honey for a zingy flavor.
8. The Vitamin K concentration will also help prevent osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
9. If you are suffering with anaemia, eating beet greens regularly in a balanced diet will help to combat the problem.
10. When harvesting the leaves, they should be crisp and fresh. If they are slimy or wilted then they are no good.
11. You should wash the leaves and stems well before eating. You can also store them in an air tight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
12. You can also boil these in hot water for 1 minute. This will make the leaves taste slightly sweeter.
13. I recommend eating these with some delicious poached eggs, or for a vegan treat, enjoy them with tofu.
14. To learn about the benefits of beetroot (the lower part of the plant) please see my other video.
CONVERSATION