Beetroot is healthy and versatile, and therefore a very popular vegetable in Germany. But can beetroot also be eaten raw? We explain what you should consider.
Raw beetroot: A superfood full of vital substances
Beetroot is full of important micronutrients such as phytochemicals, iron, vitamin C and B vitamins. Just 200 grams cover around 50 percent of your daily folic acid requirement.
However, this only applies to raw beetroot. When you boil or fry them, many important nutrients are lost. Most adults should therefore eat the power vegetable raw from time to time. For example, you can enjoy the beet in a salad, as a beetroot carpaccio or in a smoothie. But not everyone should eat raw beetroot – because unfortunately the vegetable also has a few disadvantages.
Eating beetroot raw: the disadvantages
In addition to many positive ingredients, beetroot also contains oxalic acid. If you eat too much of it, kidney stones can form. The acid also makes it harder for your body to absorb calcium. Cooking the beets lowers their oxalic acid content.
Beetroot also contains nitrate. The salt is initially completely harmless to health. However, if it is stored unfavorably or has to be transported long distances, it converts to nitrite. This substance is very dangerous, especially for infants. Therefore, children should only eat nitrate-rich vegetables in moderation.
Conclusion: The dose makes the poison!
Beetroot is a very healthy food that provides your body with many important nutrients. The beetroot is particularly rich in nutrients when it is raw. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with eating the vegetables raw from time to time.
To keep your food low in oxalic acid and nitrate, you should buy fresh, local produce and not store it for too long. You can get beetroot from German cultivation between June and March. If you only cook or blanch the vegetables for a short time, the oxalic acid content will already drop significantly. However, be careful not to cook it for too long – otherwise valuable ingredients will be lost.
Note: Raw beetroot is less suitable for people with kidney problems and small children. In this case, seek medical advice beforehand.
