Beet detox. Like body detox, but with beets.
I know that sounds weird, but it’s fantastic! Who knew?
Learning about the health benefits of beets I came to find that they can help detoxify the liver. So, if you’re looking into how to detox your liver (which I am because -long story short- I had too many it’s wine-o’clock somewhere afternoons and wanna give old Liv, that’s what I call my liver, a break) or just love beets, you’re in the right place for a health-yum double whammy.
Beets are shockingly full of Vitamin C and they’re the star ingredient of my summer recipes.
This amazing -albeit personal- discovery of the beet detox powers has made me, shall we say extra creative in the kitchen? And I can’t wait to share this sneaky liver detox, extra energizing, yet scrumptiously delicious BBQ recipe, because it’s beet o’clock somewhere (see what I did there?)
If you’re looking for a zesty and healthy side dish for your next barbecue -this is it:
Increase your Vitamin C intake, promote natural liver detox, and relish in a surprising explosion of flavors with these super easy grilled balsamic beets- a mouth-watering dish to accompany any meal.
Perfect for summer!
Without further ado, I give you my beet detox super barbecue recipe and why it’s so freaking good for your body:
The Ultimate BBQ Balsamic Beet Detox Recipe
If you asked me why I turned to this recipe for a “beet detox” the only thing I can say is this: I only really like beets roasted or juiced. Raw beets have a crunchy texture that turns buttery and soft when cooked and I like that better -way better.
The truth is I was feeling low energy, a bit bloated, and I’ve been around the block enough to know that overindulgence was the real culprit. I needed a quick body and liver detox.
Since I was indeed low energy (read lazy) and I had just found out about this beet detox and Vitamin C qualities, I decided to try the easiest way possible to roast the beets yet still keep the nutrition value and flavor.
My advice is to make this while -or before- you do something else. I marinated them for an hour by accident the first time but realized it’s actually the best way to eat them upon remakes. So:
How To Make Barbecue Balsamic Beets
Ingredients:
- 4 large beets, sliced into ½ inch thick chips
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar, + 1 tbsp
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp rosemary
- ¼ tsp basil
- ¼ tsp sage
- ¼ tsp sage
Instructions:
- Prepare your beets by washing/scrubbing and peeling them if desired (I did not because the heat helps peel them later.)
Slice into ¼-½ inch thick slices.
- In a dish, whisk together the vinegar and spices (important: reserve 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar).
Place the beets in the dish and allow to marinate for 1 hour.
- Wrap the beets in foil, drizzle in the extra marinade and seal well.
Place on the BBQ grill for 20-25 minutes until soft, while your other barbecue foods are grilling.
- Remove the beets from the foil and place directly on the grill for 1-2 minutes for that extra toasty flavor.
Lightly pour on the extra vinegar before serving.
That’s it! They’re super easy and a great way to leverage those beet detox powers that I’ll detail below.
Note! The flavor of these beets can easily be changed and customized by adding a dash of your favorite spices. I love a bit of heat, so I like to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to make it really pop with each bite.
For example, I tried mixing the cayenne pepper with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar sinceI know it boosts not only those beet detox powers but also the metabolism.. All in all, my favorite is still the balsamic and red pepper flakes.
The Health Benefits Of Beets
The beet or beetroot is the taproot portion of the beet plant and is in the same plant family as Swiss chard. The leaves can also be used in various cuisines and have a bitter taste similar to chard.
Both parts of the beetroot are incredibly nutritious and have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, which is why it is included in both the Organifi’s Green Juice and Red Juice powder. I choose to add them to my diet and try a “beet detox” when I found about the remarkable health benefits of beets:
#1 May Be a Great Source of Vitamin C, K, and Calcium
One cup (about 136 grams) of beets has 6.7mg of Vitamin C, which is 16% the recommended daily intake. Additionally, it has calcium that supports bone structure and Vitamin K that helps with blood clotting. It also has folate (Vitamin B9), potassium, iron, and manganese that supports liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
#2 Could Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The inflammation factor rating system, which predicts inflammatory response to meals, gives beets a 274 anti-inflammatory rating, compared to a carrot’s mere 60 the power is visible. Animal studies show that one of the health benefits of beets is reduced inflammation. This is why it may help if you notice bloating that won’t go away.
#3 Has High Antioxidant Content
Beets are an excellent source of antioxidants because of the rich Vitamin C content. Antioxidants attack free-radicals, preventing them from harming healthy tissue. Unchecked free radicals lead to oxidative stress, organ decay, aging, and more.
#4 May Lower Blood Pressure
Because beets are rich in inorganic nitrates and potassium, which acts as a diuretic in the blood (the opposite of sodium), beets could be an effective way to lower blood pressure naturally and protect against heart conditions.
This beet detox also helps to cleanse the blood. Furthermore, beets contain large amounts of betaine -about 127 mg per 100-gram serving- which may reduce heart disease markers.
#5 Could Help Digestion
Beets are high in fiber, a cup can offer 2.8 to 3.8 grams of fiber, which could help to keep your digestive tract healthy.
#6 May Support Natural Liver Detox
My favorite least-known beet detox power comes from the phytonutrients “betalains,” which naturally support phase two of the liver detox: conjugation. This is the phase in which the liver separates toxins to flush them out of the body.
Studies indicate that the high betaine content may also “halt and even reverse the progression” of disrupted or altered liver function.
Beets and Liver Detox
If you ever have symptoms of unhealthy liver function (like my low energy and bloated body) or wonder does a liver cleanse really work? You’ll find that:
- Your liver is the chemical processing plant of your body, and liver detox occurs naturally every day, even as you read this.
- There are multiple ways to do a liver detox.
So what is and how to do a liver detox then? And Why a Beet Detox?
Body detox or liver detox is just the standard mechanism your body uses to eliminate harmful substances called toxins.
The liver, which is connected to the stomach and the intestines, breaks every substance that enters the body down into useful and harmful byproducts that are then rerouted into the organs or out of the body.
The best way to support a liver detox is through nutrition; food fuels your natural detoxifying capacities. Some foods -like beets- help the liver go through the oxygenation and conjugation phases (the actual body detox) faster or more efficiently, while others hinder it by clogging the blood, overtaxing it with more toxins it can handle or creating fatigue.
The nutrients and health benefits of beets make them an ideal friend to the liver, helping the liver flush out toxins at the most critical point in its cleansing process.
The easier and more effective your natural liver detox is, the better your body can metabolize medication, balance hormones, reduce cholesterol, process fat and sugar, and increase energy levels.
Given that the liver metabolizes everything we ingest orally or absorb through the skin, a balanced diet may not always be the answer. If you need extra help, Organifi’s Liver Detox formula could assist you in getting your goals a little faster.
Liver detox is necessary because, without it, we would essentially turn into the equivalent of a city with no garbage pick-up and elimination.
The Takeaway
A beet detox doesn’t have to be a one week of nothing but beets effort, that’s why I created this juicy beet detox barbecue side-dish!
If you just want to get the health benefits of beets, this recipe will get you there fast and with minimal effort. If you’re looking for how to detox your liver in creative and organic ways, then this beet detox recipe will also help you.
If you try it, let us know how it went! We absolutely love to see you try our recipes, put a spin on them, and actively work on your health!
About The Author
Lindsay Sibson turned her lifelong dream of traveling the world into a reality when she first stepped on a plan in April of 2014. With the simple intention of learning more about this beautiful world, she stepped away from corporate America to explore an alternative lifestyle of long term international travel, volunteering, blogging and pursuing a blissfully happy and fulfilling way of life.
Lindsay documents her journey in hopes of empowering others to find their passion, reignite their spark and freshen their outlook on life. Connect with her on her website and follow her travels on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_traveloholic_).
Through her blog, Lindsay documents her journey in hopes of empowering others to find their passion, reignite their spark and freshen their outlook on life.