Beta volgaris Beetroot contains folate, potassium and manganese. It is believed the red pigmentation contains certain anti-cancer agents and beetroot has been used in the treatment of cancer for some years. Beetroot is also hepatoprotective. In animal tests, it has been used effectively to keep fat from depositing in the liver, due probably to the herb’s concentration of betaine. Indian medicine has long used it as a treatment for coughs and infections. The root contains about a tenth portion of pure sugar, which is one of the glucoses or fruit sugars, which is very wholesome. Softer than cane sugar, it does not crystallize as well as the latter, and unlike cane sugar, the sugar present in beetroot is already in a more easily assimilated form, thus making the beet a valuable food.
