If you’re juicing beets, you should most definitely juice beet leaves as well. Beet leaves are simply the leafy greens connected to beets, which is awesome since every time you buy beets with the tops still on – you’re getting a 2-for-1 deal 🙂
And it’s the perfect duo, almost as if mother nature herself intended you to get the diverse nutrients of each at the same time.
Yup, beets and beet leaves make the perfect complementary pair. The thing is, though, most people know about many benefits of beet juice but there’s been very little said about how wonderful the attached beet leaves are. And that’s just not fair, especially since these leafy sidekicks do more than their share in the health department.
So here’s an article dedicated solely to these underrated leafy greens!
Can You Juice Beet Leaves?
Beet leaves are often discarded as useless, but they can actually be juiced and enjoyed! Beet leaves are high in vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like iron. They have a mild, earthy flavor that goes well with other fruits and vegetables.
Looking for a way to get more nutrients into your juice? Beet leaves are a nutrient-rich food that can be juiced along with beetroots. Beet leaves are high in fiber, vitamin K, and minerals like potassium and iron. They have a slightly sweet and earthy taste, which makes them a perfect addition to juices and smoothies.
Give beet leaves a try the next time you’re juicing!
7 Reasons to Juice Beet Leaves
Here’s a benefit of beet leaves that you never hear about: Did you know that the early Greeks used to chew on beet greens after consuming garlic to prevent their breath from turning bad?
Yup, fighting odor is one of the awesome benefits of chlorophyll. But the perks of juicing beet leaves extend far past curing halitosis…
Boosts your libido (and performance in the bedroom)
Historical records suggest that beet leaves have long since been cultivated by ancient cultures as an aphrodisiac. Beet leaves and beet roots adorn the walls of Lupanare, the official brothel of Pompeii that still miraculously stands after being ravaged by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Stone tablets unearthed from the early Roman era recommend that men should regularly consume these leafy vegetables to naturally keep erectile dysfunction at bay. And now modern science is saying pretty much the same thing.
You see, beets and beet leaves are incredibly rich in nitrates, which is converted into nitric oxide in the stomach and then enters the blood as nitrate. And it has a super important function – to increase blood flow by widening blood vessels. This is great news for anyone with circulatory problems but it’s especially beneficial for sexual health since that improvement in blood flow could really help out in the erection department.
In case you’re wondering – beets contain around 280mg of nitrates per 100 grams and beet leaves contain around 180mg for the same amount. So it’s not as rich as beets, but beet greens are also incredibly rich in other nutrients…
Chock full of chlorophyll
Like all leafy things, beet leaves are a valuable source of wonderful chlorophyll which is one of the most important natural chelates, meaning that is helps remove toxins and heavy metals from our bodies. The green pigment also has important anti-carcinogenic effects and helps block the action of carcinogens that can damage our DNA.
Great for your eyes and skin
Beet leaves are incredibly rich in Vitamin A. This crucial vitamin plays a key role in preserving the health and resilience of retinal cells against damage and diseases. This is good news for your eyes since damaged retinal cells can eventually lead to vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Vitamin A is also vital for skin health since it encourages healthy skin cell production and also stimulates the cells responsible for developing the tissue that keeps your skin firm and healthy.
Perfect to juice for anemia
Beet leaves are a great source of iron, with one cup of beet greens (that’s just around 40 grams) supplying around 1 mg of iron. And this is what makes these greens perfect for anemics since iron deficiency is one of the most common types of anemia.
Another perk? Beet greens are also rich in chlorophyll which cleanses the blood and stimulated red blood cell production, making it a wonderful nutrient to have on your side!
Rich in electrolytes
Beet greens contain ample levels of an antioxidant called beta cyanin that helps replace depleted electrolytes in the system, especially during bouts of diarrhea and severe vomiting. Interestingly, their abundant beta cyanin content also makes beet greens a good choice to reach for if you’re looking to ease the effects of hangovers.
Maintains healthy blood pressure
There are a number of essential minerals found in beet greens like potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese that have the ability to prevent blood pressure issues like hypertension and hypotension. These leafy vegetables are also packed with beta-carotene that helps raise cellular resistance against free radical and toxin damage.
Improves your mood
Laboratory tests show that beet greens contain phytonutrients like tryptophan and betaine that help the brain release mood-improving hormones like serotonin, oxytocin and endorphin when frequently consumed.
These phytonutrients also have the ability to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood that can set off peripheral vascular disease, stroke and coronary heart disease over time.
Beet Leaves Juice Recipe Roundup
We love beet leaves in juice recipes for their refreshing, earthy, and very slightly bitter taste. They taste a lot like a watered-down version of dandelion greens or kale and are a good in-between leafy green for intermediate green juicer 🙂
If you don’t really like the taste of even a tiny bit of bitter (yet), then go for beet greens that have been harvested young – these are flavorful with less of a bitter aftertaste.
Simple Beet Greens Juice Recipe
Here’s the easiest, 2-ingredient beet leaves juice recipe for when you want all the benefits of these leafy greens without spending too long in the kitchen:
- 2 medium beets
- 2 bunches beet greets (basically, all the beet leaves that come attached to the beets you’ll be juicing)
There are beets that have huge stashes of beet leaves, though, so in those cases – just juice one bunch so you don’t get an overwhelming dose of greenness.
Oh, and add a squirt of lemon juice (or juice half a lemon) to increase iron absorption if you want!
Great V8 Beet Leaves Juice
Here’s a beet greens juice recipe to turn to when you need a whopping dose of veggie goodness:
- 6 medium carrots
- 1 bunch celery
- 1 gigantic handful grape tomatoes
- 1 inch ginger
- 2 bunches beet leaves
Despite it’s lack of sweet fruit, this juice recipe is surprisingly delicious, thanks to the natural sweetness of the Vitamin A-rich carrots and the ever-so-slight sweetness of tomatoes. It’s a drink that’s every bit as healthy as it tastes!
Immune Booster Beet Greens Juice
Here’s a go-to juice recipe for those time when you’re feeling under the weather or feel like you might be coming down with something:
- 2 cucumbers
- 3 small apples
- 2 lemons
- 1 large beet and its leaves
- 2 thumb-sized amounts of turmeric root
It’s full of minerals to nourish your body as well as antioxidants but its real star is metabolism-boosting, immunity-improving turmeric.
This little orange root is a medicinal superstar, with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer and of course, antioxidant properties.
Fat Burning Beet Leaves Juice
Here’s a gorgeous, delicious weight loss juice recipe featuring yummy beet greens:
- 2 ruby red grapefruits, peeled
- 1 red beet, trimmed and scrubbed
- 4 handfuls of beet leaves
- 4 stalks of celery
- knob of ginger
Just a few ingredients and you’ll end up with a scrumptious, very nutrient-rich juice that’s full of the liver-cleansing benefits of celery, the immunoprotective perks of ginger, the blood-enriching loveliness of beet greens, the blood flow enhancing perks of beet as well as the metabolism-boosting properties of grapefruit!
Green and Glow Juice
This gorgeous pink concoction is the perfect combination of sweet and green:
- 2 small whole beets
- handful of beet leaves
- 2 small apples
- 1 – 2 inch piece fresh ginger
- 2 large carrots
- 4 stalks of celery
And it’s a lovely juice for your skin, rich in folate, silica as well as vitamins A and C, making it great for healthy skin, hair and nails.
Sweet Digestive Beet Leaves Juice
If your insides are feeling sluggish, bloated or crampy, give this juice recipe a whirl through the juicer:
- 1/2 pineapple
- 1 medium beet with leaves
- 1 cucumber
- 1.5 knob of ginger
The bromelain in pineapple amps up digestion, soothing ginger helps alleviate cramps and gas, and natural diuretics beet and cucumber help to flush things out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you juice beet leaves and stalks?
Yes, you can juice beet leaves and stalks. Beet leaves are great for liver detoxification and may help with inflammation in the body. Beets themselves contain a variety of antioxidants that work to protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
There is some evidence suggesting they might be able to reduce your risk of cancer or slow its progression as well! Juicing these leafy greens will not only provide fiber but also health benefits like improved digestion, increased energy levels, relief from joint pain, bone strength improvement, reduced cholesterol levels among others!
If you’re interested in juicing beet leaves – we have an amazing recipe for them above!
Should you juice the leaves of beets?
Juicing beet leaves and stalks is a great way to get the benefits of beets without having to deal with all that pesky chewing. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just throw some fresh or frozen beet greens in your juicer followed by a little lemon juice for an extra kick if you like.
Can you juice red beet leaves?
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced juicer, red beet leaves are a great vegetable to add to your repertoire. They’re packed with nutrients and have a mild flavor that makes them versatile in juices, smoothies, and salads. Have you tried juicing beet leaves? What did you think of the taste? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Are beet leaves toxic?
So, are beet leaves toxic? The answer is a little complicated. Beet leaves do contain toxins, but they aren’t harmful in small doses. In fact, juicing beet leaves can actually be good for you! They are high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C.
If you’re looking to add more nutrients to your diet, give beet leaves a try. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before eating or juicing them.
Can I eat beet leaves Raw?
You may be wondering, can I eat beet leaves raw? If you’re looking for a healthy snack that will keep your energy levels high and provide an extra boost of nutrients, then the answer is yes. Beet greens are crunchy like lettuce but have more nutrition than any other leafy green vegetable out there.
They contain vitamin A, C, E as well as beta-carotene which turns into vitamin A in our body so they help us to fight off colds and flus naturally! They also contain iron which helps release oxygen from hemoglobin to give us increased endurance throughout the day.
The next time you see some fresh beet greens at your local farmers market or grocery store check them out.
What are beets leaves good for?
So, what are beets leaves good for? They’re a great source of vitamins A, C and K. Beet leaves also contain minerals like potassium, magnesium and copper. And they have some anti-inflammatory properties too. All of that makes beet leaves a healthy addition to your diet. If you want to take advantage of all those nutrients, try juicing them!
Can you eat beet stalks?
So, can you eat beet stalks? The answer is yes! Beet stalks are edible and quite nutritious. They’re a great source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. Be sure to juice the leaves as well; they’re high in antioxidants and nutrients. Give beet stalks a try in your next salad or smoothie!
