Fatty liver disease: Can beetroot juice detox your liver?

Beetroot is consumed as supplemental juice, powder, bread, gel, boiled, oven dried, pickled, pureed or jam. Beetroot is classified as one of the top ten plants with highest antioxidant activity.

Beetroot is high in bioactive compounds such as betaine, nitrates and antioxidants. Beetroot contains betalain (betacyanin and betaxanthins), flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins and inorganic nitrates. It is also a rich source of diverse minerals such as potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese. . 100 mL of beetroot juice gives 95 kcal energy, 22.6 gm carbohydrates, 0.7 gm protein, 0.16 gm lipid, 0.91 gm dietary fiber and 12 gm total sugars.

Fatty liver disease and beet root juice

In developed and developing nations alike, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently taken the number one spot on the list of chronic liver diseases. Beetroot juice can decrease hepatic steatosis (fatty infiltration of the liver) and avoid non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Beetroot has betaine, a substance that assists the liver in metabolizing fats and removing toxins. Beetroot juice possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce liver inflammation.

Beetroot juice improves metabolism and facilitates fat breakdown and avoids excessive fat build-up in the liver. By helping liver cells break down fats more efficiently, betaine not only enhances overall liver functioning but also lowers inflammation, leading to a healthier liver in the long term.Beetroot juice can help with liver health and detoxification because of its high level of betaine and antioxidants.

Betaine facilitates liver detoxification as well as assisting the liver in metabolizing fats, blocking fatty deposits. Beetroot juice also encourages healthy digestion as well as aiding the natural detoxification function of the liver. Beets contain high levels of betalains (an antioxidant), which can potentially minimize inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver.

Beetroot has a hepatoprotective effect which effectively keeps any fat from deposition in the liver.

Betaine in beetroot is a methyl donor which takes part in the liver transmethylation process. Research indicates that beetroot juice can stimulate liver detoxing enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase, supporting the body's natural detoxification process. Beets are rich sources of dietary nitrates, which become nitric oxide in the body. This enhances circulation and can help support liver function indirectly.

Beetroot is rich in betalains, which are antioxidants with powerful antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants help fight oxidative stress, a state that can damage liver cells and impair their functioning. By reducing oxidative stress, beetroot juice may provide some protection to the liver. Betalains assist the body's natural detoxification process by enhancing the synthesis of enzymes that dissolve toxins. Betaine is a natural substance found in beets that keeps our liver healthy. It helps the body digest and use fats. By stopping the liver from holding too much fat, betaine will avoid diseases like fatty liver disease.Sandeep M S, Senior Consultant Medical Gastroenterology at Apollo Hospitals Sheshadripuram Bangalore