Beetroot Shots

While beetroot shots aren’t on the list of official superfoods, a lot of its fans are saying that it should be included as it has shown tangible results. In Texas, some sports teams already swear by beetroot shots to increase performance. But what does it really do? Beetroot shots are super-rich in nitrates and nitrites which the body uses to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide in the body signals the blood vessels to dilate, which means better blood flow and lower blood pressure. For athletes, the result is much more tangible. Better blood flow means more oxygen reaching the muscles, which in turn helps generate energy for muscle contraction. As for the taste, well, let’s just say that nobody drinks beetroot shots for the pleasure of it.

Beetroot Shot Trivia

• Aside from boosting athletic performance, beetroot shots have been used to cure hangovers.
• In Roman times, beetroot was considered as an aphrodisiac. With studies today showing how it promotes better blood flow and vessel dilation, it’s not hard to imagine why.
• Beetroot juice has been used as a natural dye since the 16^th

Beetroot Shot Buying Guide

If you are searching for real beetroot shots, then the supermarket isn’t the best place to look for it. Beetroot shots are best in their pure form. Most, if not all, beetroot juice sold in stores are all processed and diluted. Another form of beetroot shot is in the form of concentrates. These are heavily processed and may have lost certain macronutrients in the processing stage. Another form in which beetroot shots are available is in a dehydrated powder form. Again, this might be more convenient, form but the powdered form contains much less nitric oxide than fresh beetroot shots.

So how to get the best beetroot shots? It’s always to best to make it yourself, but if you don’t have the time, look for specialty stores near you that make fresh beetroot shots on a daily basis or if they offer them frozen.

Beetroot Shot Production & Farming in Texas

Due to its taste, beetroot shots aren’t a popular shelf item in the United States, so this limits production to very specialized companies. Most beetroot juice products are organically and sustainably produced as the market for it is mostly towards the health-conscious market. One of the issues about commercially available beetroot juice is that most of them, while organic, are not pure. These juices will usually be blended with other juices and will have sugars added to make the beetroot juice more palatable.

Smaller, more specialized beetroot shot producers usually are beetroot growers themselves. They have recognized the value add in creating beetroot shots for people who want to get all of the benefits of beetroot shots without going through all the trouble of preparing the juice daily.

A 1oz shot off beetroot juice is all that’s required daily to get all of the benefits. This is why most local producers that make beetroot shots pack them in small 1oz plastic packets and freeze them to preserve freshness.

Pesticides:

Since beetroot shots are made from freshly pressed beetroots, the pesticide risk is the same as with consuming fresh beetroot. Since beetroot have been found to contain some of the lowest levels of detected pesticides, so you don’t need to worry about pesticide contamination much when it comes to beetroot shots.

Packaging:

Real beetroot shots from local producers are usually packed in small 1oz plastic bags before being frozen for freshness. For frozen beetroot shots that are shipped from remote locations, they are typically packed in Styrofoam boxes along with ice packs to keep the shots frozen until they reach your home.

To avoid this waste in packaging, source your beetroot shots from your local suppliers.

Enjoying Beetroot Shots

To consume frozen beetroot shots, just let them thaw out on the countertop or in the fridge and consume.  Since they’re only 1oz per shot, it should thaw out pretty fast.

Storage:

Keep the frozen beetroot shots in the freezer until ready to use.

Nutrition:

Per 1 oz shot

• Carbs
  • The carbs in beetroot shots come from sugar.
  • The sugar from beetroot shots can give you a burst of energy.
• Vitamins and minerals:
  • Beetroot shots are an excellent source of potassium.
    • Potassium is essential for athletes as this is the mineral electrolyte that helps muscles and nerves function properly. A lot potassium level can cause muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue.
  • Nitrates in beetroot shots help boost physical performance.
    • Nitrates are utilized during physical activity to create nitric oxide. This dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow and increases oxygen delivery to muscles.
    • The nitrates in beetroot shots also help lower blood pressure due to its effect in relaxing blood vessels.
  • The rich color of beetroot shots come from betalains. These are antioxidants that fight against certain cancers.
  • The betaines in beetroot shots also helps reduce fatty deposits in the liver and protects the liver from toxins.