Is Beetroot Really Vegetable Viagra? Here's What Science Says

Queensland: 

Beetroot has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Supply issues in recent months have seen a of tinned beetroot on Australian supermarket shelves. At one point, a tin was reportedly selling on eBay for

But as supplies increase, we turn our attention to beetroot's apparent health benefits.

Is beetroot really vegetable Viagra, as UK TV doctor Michael Mosley What about beetroot's other apparent health benefits – from reducing yourHere's what the science says.

Beetroot is particularly  vitamin B and C, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.

Most cooking methods don't significantly alter its Pressure cooking does, however, lower levels of carotenoid (a type of antioxidant) compared to raw beetroot.

into capsules, powders, chips or juice may affect beetroot's ability to act as an antioxidant. However, this canbetween products, including between different brands of beetroot juice.

The Romans are said to have used beetroot and its juice as an

But there's limited scientific evidence to say beetroot improves your sex life. This does not mean it doesn't. Rather, the vast number of scientific ooking at the effect of beetroot have not measured libido or other aspects of sexual health

When we eat beetroot, chemical reactions involving bacteria and enzymes transform the nitrate in beetroot into nitrite, then to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps dilate (widen) blood vessels, potentially

Theof dietary nitric oxide that have been tested in clinical studies are beetroot, rocket and spinach.

Nitric oxide is also thought to in its role in controlling blood flow before and during sex in men.

Beetroot's ability to improve blood flow can benefit thesystem of the heart and blood vessels. This may positively impact sexual function, theoretically in men and women.

Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest there could be a modest link between beetroot and preparedness for sex, but don't expect it to transform your sex life.

Beetroot has received increasing attention over recent years due to iteffect in humans.

Clinical trials have not verified all beetroot's active ingredients and their effects. However, beetroot may be a potentially helpfufor various health issues related to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as cancer and diabetes. The idea is that you can take beetroot supplements or eat extra beetroot alongside your regular medicines (rather than replace them).

There isbeetroot juice can help lower systolic blood pressure (the first number in your blood pressure reading) by 2.73-4.81 mmHg (millimetres of mercury, the standard unit of measuring blood pressure) in people with high blood pressure. Some researchers say this reduction is comparable to thewith certain medications and dietary interventions.

finds even people without high blood pressure (but at risk of it) could benefit.