Beets are really great. They're packed with nutrients are also a medicinal vegetable. They've been used since the time of the Romans to cleanse the blood, liver, and kidneys. They can even help with alcohol detoxification due to their chlorine content.

Beets also contain a modest amount of iron in a form that is highly bioavailable. In addition, they contain lots of Magnesium (recently shown to help with stress) and Vitamins C, B1, and B2. A recent study in the UK showed that athletes who consumed beet juice showed a 16% increase in endurance compared to the placebo group.

To get the most benefits from beets you should juice them. The most important thing is to never drink beet juice by itself. You must mix it with other juices. If you drink it on its own you may experience temporary paralysis of your vocal cords, break out in hives, and experience other unpleasant effects.

It's also recommended by some to juice your beets and then let the juice sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours. The reasoning is that they contain some unhealthy compounds that neutralize when exposed to air.

Other good ways to get beets into your diet is to shred them over some salad or to simply roast them in the oven with some olive oil. They are truly delicious vegetables and you should definitely be including them in your diet.