Nitrates in Beets Lower Blood Pressure

Beets are widely recognized as a natural source of nitrates, which the body converts into nitrites to keep your arteries healthy, Finckenor says. Beet juice can help manage high blood pressure, according to a study published in July 2022 in Antioxidants. Don’t be alarmed if your urine turns pink or stools turn red after eating beets, though. Called beeturia, the condition affects 10 to 14 percent of the population after eating beets. While it’s usually nothing to worry about, beeturia can be worse in people with an iron deficiency.

When cooking beets, consider roasting them as a side dish, tossing some in salads, or steaming beets and sprinkling with olive oil, salt, and pepper. And if the taste of beets isn’t for you, try adding beetroot powder to a smoothie for a healthy nitrate boost