How to Make the Best Pre-Workout Drink with Beets

Beets– those ruby red vegetables once used only to liven up your salad – are also incredibly good for you. And they can be greatpre-workout fuel too! Fitness aficionados around the country are using beetroot juice as adrink before their workout to increaseenergy and boost performance. They contain an abundant mix of nitrates, anti-oxidants and have both anti-inflammatory and detox properties. Thisawesome little root vegetable can be used in a variety ofDIY recipeslike juices,powder,chips and desserts. And you don’t have to be a top fitness athlete to usebeets as anatural pre-workout energy drink. Try one of these 3 delicioushomemade pre-workout drink recipes for womenthat are guaranteed to give you an incredible boost ofenergy so you can get through your next workout effortlessly!

Get Your Best Pre-Workout Energy from Beets!

Beets are a healthy addition to any diet, especially if you’re looking for a pre-workout energy boost. Beetroot juice is chock full of powerful nitrates, which can have a positive effect on muscles and blood circulation. Our body converts nitrates into nitrite and then into nitric oxide which increases your blood flow capacity and gives your body much needed support to use oxygen more efficiently while exercising. With this increase in blood flow and oxygen, your body is capable of a more effective workout with increased performance and endurance, plus the added bonus of a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

3 Delicious Pre-Workout Beets Drink Recipes For Women

Try one of these delicious natural energy boosters to fuel your body for your next workout.

1. DIY Natural Energy Drink: Beet Juice

Ingredients

• 1 peeled beetroot
• 1 cucumber
• 1 green apple cored and quartered
• 1 inch peeled ginger

Directions:Juice it and enjoy!

2. An Energizing Juice to Help Your Performance

Ingredients

•    1 peeled beetroot
•    1 cup blueberries
•    1 cucumber
•    2 cups spinach
•    1 cup arugula

Directions:Throw the lighter vegetables first, then add berries, cucumber and beet last. Juice it and enjoy!

3. Beet, Carrot, Apple and Ginger Juice (The Pre-Workout Boost)

Ingredients

• 1 peeled beetroot
• 2 carrots
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored
• 1 Gala apple, cored
• 1 inch peeled ginger
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:Juice it and enjoy!

How to Buy Beets:

Deep purple colored beets are seen most often in grocery stores, but there are actually a few different colors of beets. Regardless of color, most beets have similar flavor, health benefits and uses. Peak season for beets (code word for cheapest) is from early summer to fall (June to October).

Key things to look for when buying beets:

• Small or medium sized beetroots that have a smooth skin and deep color (purple, red, pink or golden)
• Stay away from beets that have spots or large bruises

Friendly Reminder

Because of their high sugar content, beets should be consumed in moderation. Aim to have beets 1-3 times a week to reap all the benefits they have to offer.

Get Your Best Pre-Workout Energy from Beets: 7 Benefits

1. Improved blood pressure

Beets are chock full of nitrates which are used and converted by the body into nitric oxide. This compound increases overall blood flow and circulation, which can lead to lower blood pressure.

3. Detoxifies

Beets are also rich in betaine, an amino acid that can help to prevent and reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver. With this reduction of fat, your liver is better able to clean your blood and detoxify your body.

RELATED: How to Detox (Or Cleanse) Your Body For Weight Loss: The Simple Way

4. Rich in anti-oxidants,anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties

Beets are also full of betalains, a group of potent anti-oxidants that work to fight free radical and inflammation related chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity and in some cases cancer. There’s also a possibility that betacyanin (which gives beets their purple color) can protect the body against some common carcinogens. And what’s more, because of the high levels of anti-oxidants, beets can also provide anti-aging benefits.

RELATED: Shefit Matcha Berry Smoothie for Weight Loss

Fiber’s your best bet against constipation and beets are full of it! All you need is one cup of beets to get 4 grams of dietary fiber, which can reduce your chances of getting constipation and hemorrhoids. Beets can also improve your digestion due to their high content of betaine.

Eating beets during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects as beets are also rich in folate. Folate is essential for the proper development of the spinal column.

Beets are known as a natural aphrodisiac so eat up for a boost to your sex drive! Beets can help maintain or even boost your sex drive due to the increase in blood flow to your reproductive organs.

Who knew a little purple root vegetable could hold so many powerful nutritional benefits, especially aspre-workout fuel?Beets are not only a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition but also give you a much needed all-natural energy boost before your workout.Mix up one of theawesome drink recipesabove before your next workout and you’re sure to have the energy you need to power through. As with any nutritional supplement for women, make sure you’re addingbeets as part of a healthy diet and exercise program, focusing on working out at least 3 times a week.

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