White beets

White beet is a vegetable crop that is one of the types of beet. It is correct to call white beet white table beet, since this type of root crop is intended for human consumption, like its red "brother".

White beetroot differs from the usual red one in that it has a light, almost white color. At the same time, it is characterized by an interesting and pleasant taste, which can be perfectly used in the preparation of various dishes. For example, salads, various pickles and marinades.

Of course, housewives need to keep in mind that white beetroot will not give such a rich color as its "colleague" - red beetroot. But this feature of the root vegetable is not as significant as its taste and nutritional qualities. On the contrary, the neutral color of white beetroot can be used in various combination dishes, for example, as an ingredient when cooking chicken. And do not be afraid that the color of the meat will suddenly acquire a bright purple hue (which is always given by ordinary beetroot).

There is another type of beet called white – this is white sugar beet. It is grown primarily for the purpose of obtaining sugar, which is directly indicated in its name. More information about sugar beet can be found in the next section.

White sugar beet

White sugar beet is a type of beet, the name of which indicates the main purpose of this vegetable. White sugar beet is a light-colored root vegetable of an elongated shape and looks like a regular white table beet.

Sugar beet is a species that has been successfully worked on by breeders since 1741. Work on breeding a new type of beet began due to the desire of scientists to use the properties of beets to produce sugar. At that time, it was noticed that sugar identical to cane sugar (which was the only type of sugar at that time) was also found in fodder beets. Therefore, breeders set to work together, hoping to make it easier and cheaper to extract and deliver sugar to Europe.

The scientists' work was crowned with success. This is eloquently evidenced by the shelves of stores filled with ordinary sugar obtained from sugar beets. At the same time, we must give credit to the breeders that they were able to achieve an increase in the properties of sugar beets through their successful work over several centuries. For example, in the 18th century, at the very beginning of research work on fodder beets, the sugar content in it did not exceed 1.3 percent. Nowadays, it is considered normal and obligatory for modern root crops to contain at least one fifth of the total composition of beets (that is, twenty percent).

Sugar beet arrived in our territory at the beginning of the 19th century and immediately gained popularity among the industrialists and producers of that time.

Sugar beet is considered an industrial crop. It is used primarily not as food, but for processing in industrial conditions in order to obtain the necessary products and substances.

First of all, one of the lightest types of beet is grown for the production of sugar, which is obtained during its processing. Modern varieties of white sugar beet, as mentioned earlier, contain approximately twenty percent sugar, which is an important factor for its use in obtaining the "sweet life".

At the same time, white sugar beet is grown not only for the purpose of deep processing. The livestock industry and farms are happy to use this root crop as feed for domestic animals. More precisely, not the beet itself in its whole form, but the waste from sugar production, which is called "pulp".

Molasses can also be mentioned as a waste product that is obtained during the processing of sugar beets into pure and crispy sugar. Molasses is used as a food product in the confectionery and bakery industries and is a natural sugar substitute. Molasses, for example, gives the dough looseness and unusual airiness, and the product itself is covered with a glossy crust. This product is also used to make creams and glazes, as a binding component, and also in the production of gingerbread and other "delicacies".

Molasses is made from potato starch (as well as corn starch). Beet molasses looks like a dark brown, almost black liquid with the taste of burnt sugar. It is also called maltose syrup or molasses. Molasses is sold in stores or departments of large supermarkets that deal with dietary products and healthy eating.

And the last waste product of white sugar beet production is defecation mud. This processing product is used as a mineral fertilizer in agriculture.

White sugar beet is quite demanding in terms of growing conditions. In order for the sugar beet harvest to be rich and of high quality, this root crop requires a lot of heat, sufficient moisture and a large amount of sunlight.

White sugar beet grows best on soils rich in black soil. The highest yield, as well as the maximum nutritional value of the root crop, is achieved on black soils. Therefore, it must be taken for granted that Ukraine is in first place as a producer of white sugar beet. At the same time, it should be noted that in agriculture, not domestic, but imported varieties are used. And most of the area is occupied by hybrid varieties of a German manufacturer.

Irrigated black soils are found not only in Ukraine. Good conditions for growing sugar beets are also found in Georgia, the southern regions of Russia and Belarus. However, it should be noted that Western European countries with good black soil are also "noted" in growing sugar beets. Sugar beet production is also found in North America. As well as in the countries of the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

Properties of sugar beet

White beetroot, despite the lack of important and useful substances that affect its color, is still a fairly nutritious and healthy root vegetable. The red pigments of beetroot, called anthocyanins, are absent in sugar beet. But in some cases this can be an advantage, not a disadvantage of the root vegetable.

Many people, especially recently, suffer massively from allergic food reactions. Which are caused, first of all, by the presence of active coloring agents in food products. Those same anthocyanins that we met just above. And therefore, incredibly useful for everyone, but unacceptable for a particular person vegetables or fruits are excluded from his diet due to intolerance to the product. Such a fate is usually awarded to strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, oranges, tangerines, carrots and other brightly colored products. Red beetroot is no exception.

It is sad that the menu of allergy sufferers is quite poor compared to the diet of an ordinary person. After all, allergic reactions to many products force one to avoid eating many vegetables, fruits and berries. And such restrictions, of course, affect the quality of the body's supply of vitamins and microelements.

The right way out of this situation is to replace allergy-causing food products with those that do not contain these aggressive properties as much as possible. And at the same time, they can provide the human body with the necessary set of useful and necessary substances.

In the case of red beetroot, white beetroot and white sugar beet come to its rescue. Despite the fact that sugar beetroot is primarily an industrial crop, people have learned to use it both as food and for treating various diseases.

Therefore, let's name the first property of sugar beet - it is hypoallergenic.

The second, but no less important quality of this food product is the ability to regulate human blood pressure. Regular use of sugar beet in food can reduce the patient's blood pressure and bring it closer to normal.

The third quality that makes white beetroot a valuable food product is that this root vegetable can increase the body's defenses and regulate human immunity. It should be noted that sugar beetroot is able to remove toxins and waste from the human body, which has a positive effect on strengthening the body's immune properties.

The fourth most useful property of sugar beet is its laxative effect. This quality of the root crop is irreplaceable for constant problems of the human gastrointestinal tract associated with constipation.

In fifth place is the ability of beets to regulate digestive problems associated with low acidity. Any type of beet has the ability to increase the acidity of gastric juice, which is an indispensable quality in regulating the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract.

The above list of positive qualities of white beet is impressive, but it is worth reassuring the reader that the properties of sugar beet have not yet been fully revealed. More about them will be discussed below in the relevant sections.

Benefits of Sugar Beet

The intrigued reader is most likely already eager to find out what are the benefits of sugar beet for humans?

Let's consider the chemical composition of white table beet and its "colleague" in appearance - white sugar beet. Let's start by getting acquainted with table beet, and finish with a little "cultural enlightenment" with information about sugar beet.

White beetroot is high in minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus.

White sugar beet contains a rich vitamin composition: a large amount of vitamin C, all B vitamins, including PP (nicotinic acid or vitamin B3), as well as vitamin E and vitamin A.

The mineral substances in the root crop are represented by potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, iodine, cobalt. In addition, sugar beet contains a large number of various bioflavonoids and pectins, as well as a substance such as betaine.

Based on the above chemical composition, the benefits of sugar beet are undeniable in regulating immune and metabolic problems, as well as in vitamin deficiencies and other ailments associated with a lack of vitamins and minerals.

Treatment with sugar beet

Traditional medicine has long learned to use the beneficial properties of this root vegetable for its own purposes. Treatment with sugar beet is already a proven practice. Therefore, it is worth getting to know it better and more carefully.

With the help of sugar beet potions, you can successfully treat digestive problems and metabolic disorders in the body. Improving human immunity is one of the feasible tasks that can be accomplished by eating sugar beets.

In addition, sugar beet-based medicines regulate the cardiovascular system by strengthening the walls of large vessels and capillaries. Regular and proper consumption of sugar beet in food increases the production of hemoglobin. Therefore, sugar beet is used to treat anemia and atherosclerosis, as well as hypertension and leukemia.

It will be interesting and useful for the fair sex to learn about the rejuvenating properties of sugar beet. This effect of the root crop is explained by its ability to remove toxins from the body. This fact has a positive effect on the appearance and life expectancy of not only women, but also all those who decide to use sugar beet for this purpose.

For lovely ladies it will be important to know that sugar beet, thanks to the substances contained in its chemical composition, is able to increase psycho-emotional tone and influence the general psychological state of a person.

The healing properties of sugar beet

All of the above shows that sugar beet has truly healing properties in the treatment of many diseases.

For example, it can be used in cooking for those housewives who are concerned about the health of their family members. If you grate sugar beet on a fine grater, you can add it instead of sugar to various culinary "masterpieces". Biscuits and cookies, pies and sweet pies, various muffins and other pastries will be tasty and sweet, but at the same time, healthy. And such sweet dishes as milk porridge, jam or preserves, compote will not suffer from such a replacement, but on the contrary, will only benefit. After all, the healing properties of sugar beet can manifest themselves in them. Some thrifty and skillful housewives can prepare sugar beet syrup, which can be poured, for example, on pancakes and fritters.

So, let's summarize the healing qualities of this root vegetable, which has the following effects:

• anti-sclerotic,
• vasodilator,
• calming,
• hypoallergenic,
• diuretic,
• laxative,
• immunomodulatory.

Pectin substances found in beets help to increase the protective qualities of the human body against radioactive metals (this also applies to heavy metals). In addition, the same substances help to remove excess cholesterol from the body and normalize heart function.

Caloric content of sugar beet

Sugar beet is not a high-calorie food product. The caloric content of fresh sugar beet is forty-three kilocalories per hundred grams of product.

Proteins account for one and a half grams out of one hundred, or six kilocalories. Fats account for about one tenth of a gram of the above-mentioned amount of the product, or one kilocalorie. Carbohydrates account for the largest amount of kilocalories – as many as thirty-six (nine whole and one tenth grams).

It is possible to demonstrate the ratio of energy indicators of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in one hundred grams of the product. Proteins in sugar beet contain approximately thirteen percent; fats – two percent, and carbohydrates – eighty-one percent.

Contraindications to the use of sugar beet

In nature, fortunately or unfortunately, there is no such product that would be useful exclusively to all people. There will definitely be a category of people for whom a certain product is contraindicated.

Sugar beet is no exception to this rule. Dishes made from it are not recommended for patients with the following diseases:

• Urolithiasis.
• Kidney stone disease.
• Gout.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Gastrointestinal diseases in the acute stage.
• Gastritis with high acidity and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in which the acidity of gastric juice increases.
• Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum in an acute form.
• Hypotension or low blood pressure.

At the same time, patients need to take into account the fact that the amount of sugar consumed per day should be reduced to a minimum. Or even exclude this product from the diet, replacing it with other substances (natural), sweetening the taste of dishes.

Contraindications to the use of sugar beets in food also concern patients with diabetes. This should not be surprising, since these people are contraindicated in all sweet foods that increase blood sugar levels. And white sugar beets, which are one fifth sucrose, are precisely this prohibited product.

Metabolic disorders in humans, for example, obesity, are a direct contraindication to eating sugar beets. And all for the same reasons - a large amount of sucrose.

It is worth noting that the amount of sugar in the diet of patients with diabetes and obesity should be reduced to a minimum. In some cases, it is necessary to completely exclude sugar and products containing it from the diet.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Harm of sugar beet

Any product, even the most useful one, can be used not only for the benefit, but also to your detriment. For example, sugar beet has a negative effect on patients with certain health problems. What are these problems?

First of all, diabetes and obesity, that is, problems with impaired metabolism. In which case sucrose and sugar should not be consumed under any circumstances! If you neglect this warning, you can achieve an increase in blood sugar levels so much as to provoke a crisis of the disease (in diabetes). In obesity, a person's metabolic processes can get so out of control that along with excess weight, a whole bunch of associated diseases will appear.

Hypotension or low blood pressure is the next disease in which the harm of consuming sugar beets has been proven. Sugar beets help to lower blood pressure, and in this case, with constant low blood pressure, consuming the root vegetable will cause constant ailments and health problems for the patient.

We already know from the above section that sugar beet is contraindicated in urolithiasis, and why? Because beet contains a large amount of oxalic acid, which can cause the movement of stones in the bladder and kidneys. Which will cause a deterioration in the patient's condition and lead to unpredictable consequences.

Oxalic acid can also provoke the formation of new kidney stones. At first, with the help of oxalic acid, salts accumulate in the kidneys, which are subsequently transformed into stones - oxalates. It is important to know that the negative properties of oxalic acid appear precisely after heat treatment of sugar beets. In this form, the above-mentioned acid most quickly enters into a chemical reaction with calcium in the human body, with the help of which salts are formed, leading to the formation of kidney deposits.

In the same way, oxalic acid in boiled beets affects joints - salts are formed in them, which leads to a violation of their mobility. This leads to an increase in injuries, both to the joints themselves and to the entire skeletal system.

In case of gout and rheumatoid arthritis, that is, diseases associated with a violation of salt metabolism in the body, the use of sugar beets in food can provoke an increase in the symptoms of these diseases.

If you have increased acidity of gastric juice, you should forget about beets, since they themselves allow you to increase acidity. Failure to follow these recommendations leads to the appearance of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, heartburn, and so on.

If you have a tendency to loose stools, and especially chronic diarrhea, any type of beet, including sugar beet, is contraindicated. Since beet has laxative properties and its regular use with these problems can seriously disrupt the digestive system. After which, serious treatment and a fairly long recovery period will be required to restore the body.

Sugar Beet Recipes

The following are sugar beet recipes for everyday use.

Recipe #1 - Baked Sugar Beet

Ingredients:

• the required amount of sugar beet.

Preparation:

• sugar beets are washed, peeled and cut into pieces;
• after which the prepared beets are laid out on a baking sheet and placed in the oven on low heat;
• Bake until done, which can be checked by piercing a piece of beetroot with a fork or knife.

Recipe #2 – Sugar Beet Syrup

Ingredients:

• ten kilograms of beets;
• one liter of water.

Preparation:

• sugar beets are washed thoroughly, peeled and cut into pieces;
• take a stainless steel pan and place a cooking grate or a clay (or earthenware) plate on its bottom; this is a necessary measure to prevent the beets from burning during cooking;
• after which the beet pieces are placed in a stainless steel cooking vessel;
• pour water into a saucepan, the beets should be covered with water;
• after the beets are cooked (you can check the readiness of the beets with a fork or knife, simply by pricking the beets), the juice is squeezed out of them;
• after which the resulting juice continues to cook over low heat until it reaches the consistency of thick sour cream;
• after which the syrup is removed from the heat, cooled and poured into containers for storage while still warm; only glass containers should be used – jars and bottles;
• It is possible to add citric acid to sugar beet to avoid the product becoming sugary (at the rate of one gram of citric acid per kilogram of syrup);
• the resulting healthy additive to sweet and flour dishes has a sweet taste and brown color;
• Prepared sugar beet syrup can be used to make compotes and jellies, preserves and jams, cookies and muffins.

Recipe #3 – Sugar Beet Salad

Ingredients:

• sugar beet - nine hundred grams,
• vegetable oil - four tablespoons,
• vinegar - four tablespoons,
• horseradish root - to taste,
• spices - ground cinnamon (to taste),
• sugar - one tablespoon,
• salt - to taste,
• sour cream - one glass,
• for decoration – chopped herbs, such as parsley and dill.

Preparation:

• sugar beets are washed, peeled and cut into cubes or slices;
• take a stainless steel container and pour vegetable oil into it;
• after which the prepared beets are placed in this container and mixed with vegetable oil;
• then the pan is covered with a lid and placed on high heat;
• the beets are not stirred in the pan the entire time they are being cooked on the fire;
• after fifteen minutes, remove the beets from the heat and cool;
• after which the beets are sprinkled with one tablespoon of vinegar, salted, sprinkled with ground cinnamon and mixed;
• horseradish root is grated;
• after which it must be poured with boiling water, covered with a lid and allowed to cool slightly;
• then the remaining three tablespoons of vinegar, sugar and sour cream are added to the horseradish;
• after which the horseradish is combined with the beets and everything is thoroughly mixed;
• The beets can be placed in a salad bowl prepared for this purpose and garnished with chopped herbs on top.

Recipe #4 – Sugar Beet with Onions and Cheese

Ingredients:

• sugar beet - three hundred grams,
• small seed onions - two hundred grams,
• tomatoes - one hundred grams,
• cheese - eighty grams,
• eggs - two pieces,
• butter - sixty grams,
• sour cream - two tablespoons,
• dill - to taste,
• salt – to taste.

Preparation:

• beets are washed and peeled;
• after which the prepared beets are cooked until done, then cooled and cut into cubes:
• the onion is peeled and sautéed together with the beets in butter;
• the vegetable mixture is salted, but only after the onion becomes soft;
• at this time, peeled and finely chopped tomatoes are placed in the frying pan;
• the cheese needs to be cut into strips;
• dill must be finely chopped;
• after which, in a separate bowl, mix the chopped cheese, sour cream, eggs and dill;
• take a baking dish and grease it with oil;
• after which a vegetable mixture with beets is placed in it, which is poured with a cheese mixture on top;
• This dish is placed in the oven on medium heat and kept there for ten minutes;
• after which the form must be removed and the dish transferred to a suitable container;
• As a decoration, the finished beetroot and cheese dish can be sprinkled with finely chopped dill.

Recipe #5 – Beetroot Candies

Ingredients:

• sugar beet,
• water.
• Preparation:
• beets are washed, peeled and cut into small pieces;
• after which the prepared beets are placed in a cast iron pot and filled with a small amount of water;
• then the cast iron pot is covered with a lid and steamed in the oven or stove;
• if necessary, you can add water little by little to the cast iron pot; you can do this until the beets become soft;
• after which the beets are removed from the cast iron pot and placed on a flat metal baking sheet, and then placed back in the oven;
• For some time, the beet pieces are dried in the oven or stove over low heat until done.

Sugar Beet Reviews

Here are some reviews of sugar beets from those housewives who have personally appreciated the taste qualities of this root vegetable and the beneficial properties of the products that were prepared from it:

• Inna, 39: "Baked sugar beet seemed like a very tasty dish to me. And also healthy. It can perfectly replace unhealthy desserts and sweets."
• Victoria, 26: "Sugar beet syrup has come in very handy in the kitchen. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle and therefore do not consume sugar. But sometimes I really want to eat something sweet. And the syrup I made immediately comes to the rescue. With it, I can make various jams in a hurry and preserves for long storage. And as drinks, I use compotes from various fruits and berries with the addition of sugar beet syrups."
• Ekaterina, 31: "I am a fan of various salads. And that's why I always find new and interesting recipes for their preparation. I am pleased by the fact that my family also adheres to my taste preferences. Recently I managed to surprise my family with a recipe for a salad made from sugar beets with horseradish."
• Maria, 47: “I have always been bothered by high blood pressure. And with age, my problem turned into a disease. On the advice of a friend, I began to regularly eat a little sugar beet. I ate it raw, grated, or in simple salads. After a while, I was surprised to notice that my high blood pressure no longer bothered me so much, and I began to feel better.”
• Natalia, 51: “As long as I can remember, I have suffered from digestive problems. I was tormented by constipation, and I felt unwell because of it. In the end, I got tired of constantly suffering, and I started to take care of my health. First of all, I excluded some foods from my diet that had a constipating effect. And at the same time, I began to eat a medium piece of sugar beet every day. In about two weeks, I noticed that problems with stool no longer bothered me. And my appearance changed for the better, as did my health. I plan to continue the sugar beet treatment and follow the diet, because I like feeling healthy.”

So, white beetroot (its table version or sugar beet) is a wonderful culinary assistant in the kitchen, a healing remedy in folk medicine and at the same time a tasty and nutritious product.