Beautiful Beets

One of nature’s most vibrantly colored foods—the beet—is packed with amazing benefits for your skin. With Valentine’s Day on the calendar, we’re putting pink onto our plates by adding more of this skin-nourishing food; we think you’ll want to do the same when you read about the powerful properties of beautiful beets.

Top skin benefits of beets

Beets are one of our very favorite foods for nourishing healthy skin. In addition to their nutrient-dense beet greens, which are high in beta carotene that supports skin cell renewal and cell turnover, beet roots play these roles for your body and skin:

Blood builder and purifier. Antioxidants called betacyanins in beets give beets many of their incredible benefits. Their high content of iron and antioxidants helps build and purify the blood, while improving oxygenation of the body.

Lymph mover. Beets are one in a category of red-pigmented foods that help move lymph flow in the body, which reflects in radiant skin.

Liver cleanser. Plant chemicals called betelains in beets increase the body’s production of a key detoxifying nutrient called glutathione that supports a healthy liver.

Skin protector. The antioxidant lycopene in beets defends against sun damage while supporting skin elasticity.

Immune supporter. Golden beets, possessing some properties that differ from the more common red beet, contain antioxidant pigments called betaxanthins that support immune function.

Ready to get more beets into your diet? Start adding more beets first thing in the morning with this nourishing smoothie from NAA co-founder and Eat Pretty author Jolene Hart:

Beautiful Beet Ginger Smoothie

Serves 2

1 small, or 1/2 large, raw, organic beet

2 medium oranges, peels removed

2-inch piece fresh ginger root

1 cup frozen berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)

2 cups filtered water

Wash and peel beets and ginger, and roughly chop. In a high-powered blender, process all ingredients until smooth. Serve at room temperature or chilled.