Arthritis is an inflammatory condition and while there is no direct connection between eating beets and symptom improvement, consuming antioxidant rich foods like beets and beet greens is considered a strong positive step because these compounds tend to have anti-inflammatory effects in the human body.

Known outside North America as beetroot, beets are traditionally considered a starchy vegetable although the leafy greens to which they are attached give them dual utility from the culinary and nutritional perspective. The beet itself, the bulbous purple potato looking aspect of the plant, may be traditionally used in a similar fashion to foods like sweet potato which also have a lower glycemic index and higher antioxidant capacity (owing to the compounds that given them their vibrant colour) than more traditional potato varieties.
                                   

The beet greens, on the other hand, act more as a “traditional vegetable” in the sense that they are largely compromised of dietary fibre and antioxidants in the same way we might expect a leafy green vegetable like kale to be. In fact, beets and beet greens served in conjunction with a protein source would indeed make a perfectly balanced and nutrient-dense meal that any health professional would be proud of.  Often seeing your local family physician for a referral to registered dietitian, nutritionist or who have available appointments to treat conditions, symptoms of  in conjunction with Smart Food NOW. 

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition and while there is no direct connection between eating beets and symptom improvement, consuming antioxidant rich foods like beets and beet greens is considered a strong positive step because these compounds tend to have anti-inflammatory effects in the human body. Beets are also rich in nitrates, which reduce inflammation by removing harmful compounds from your bloodstream. Beets also contain antioxidants called betalains that have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification support. This combination of betalains and nitrates makes beets a great choice for people with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Dr. Stefanie Wade, Rheumatologist, Sarah Ware, Registered Dietician, and Nick Pratap, Kinesiologist, talk about the health benefits of beets in relation to arthritis management.