This Anti-Inflammatory Food May Help To Prevent Premature Ageing

Nutritionist Itziar Digón – long a trusted expert for the team at Vogue Spain – sent me a WhatsApp message that I couldn’t ignore. “Ana, you have to write about beetroot! It’s going to become so popular that we’ll all be tired of hearing about it.”

I soon learned that the vegetable she was being so enthusiastic about has been causing quite a stir within the scientific community. “The PNIE (psychoneuroimmunology) and microbiota world can’t stop talking about it,” she told me. For the uninitiated, psychoneuroimmunology is a discipline that studies the interconnection between the psyche and the nervous, endocrine and immune systems.

According to Digón, beetroot is an anti-inflammatory food and eating it can help to improve your blood circulation. “Plus, it’s high in nitrates – which are converted by our bodies into nitric oxide. It also reduces fatigue and enhances athletic performance – perfect for runners. And it is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent premature ageing,” she explains.

How does beetroot boost the nervous, endocrine and immune systems?

“If there is low-grade inflammation, the immune system has a reduced capacity to react,” explains Digón. This is one of your immune system’s worst enemies. The nitric oxide found in the beetroot plant helps to strengthen it, while also regulating hormones and contributing to your overall health. “This is also beneficial for your gut,” explains Digón, as it also becomes less inflamed.

How to incorporate beetroot into your diet

According to Digón, the best way to enjoy the benefits of beetroot is to consume it raw, preferably at breakfast or as a snack between meals later in the day.

She recommends drinking a shot of raw beetroot juice (around 250ml) every morning. Blend a couple of medium-sized beetroots with water and add a little lemon juice for taste. Digón advises against preparing beetroot shots in advance, as the benefits erode over time. However, if you’re in a rush, beetroot powders can be a great alternative.

Herbal Magic’s Organic Beet Root Powder – Sweet & Earthy