Rootin' for ya!

This week I know I will be getting plenty of vegetables as I facilitate the quarterly 5-day whole food dietary reset for beginners. I look forward to doing the seasonal resets along with the participants as I always end up feeling great by the end of it. One of the main reasons why is the diversity and amounts of plants we ingest. This time of year, the seasonal Reset includes many root vegetables.

From their high-fiber content to their many nutrients, root vegetables boast a great deal of fantastic health benefits. And they have long history of medicinal and dietary use. For example, they have long been an important ingredient in folk medicine.

Additionally, they’ve been a staple in several South American and Asian diets for thousands of years. Whether they’re used in stews, juices, are roasted or,

in some cases, eaten raw, root vegetables are extremely versatile. They’ve also supported undernourished populations worldwide, and it’s easy to see why, as the health benefits of root vegetables are many. Read below to learn more about this nutritionally-dense family of vegetables.

Here are 8 benefits of root vegetables:

1. Provide Complex Carbs and Starch

One of the most common benefits of root vegetables is the provision of complex carbohydrates and starch. It’s true that the average person consumed more carbs than needed. However, consuming the right amount of carbohydrates will help you to feel your best. Furthermore, starchy root vegetables are full of fiber as well as nutrients, all with a small amount of sugar. The good news there is that starchy veggies can actually help you satisfy a sweet tooth without filling your body with too much sugar.

2. High in Fiber

Next on the list of benefits of root vegetables is the high amount of fiber. In fact, due to the fiber, they are considered low glycemic index foods, despite their sugar content. The fiber root vegetables contain also has polysaccharides, which exhibit several biological activities. This includes anticarcinogenic, anticoagulant, immune-stimulating and antioxidant effects. Diets high in fiber also help with digestive, relieving constipation, and preventing IBS. Benefits of root vegetables also include being slow-burning carbs, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar. In fact, according to the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a higher intake of root vegetables

is linked with a lowered risk for diabetes.

3. Good Source of Vitamins A and C

Additionally, benefits of root vegetables include the ability to fight inflammation. This is due to the carotenoid antioxidants these veggies contain, such as vitamins A and C. Beta-carotene, which is a precursor to active vitamin A, can be found in large amounts in sweet potatoes, carrots, beets and other root veggies.

4. Can Help You Lose Weight

Increasing your fiber intake can help you on the weight loss journey. And, unlike grains, many root vegetables are lower in calories as well as lower on the glycemic index. Furthermore, the fiber in these veggies can help you stay fuller longer, which in turn can help you stay on track when you’re trying to

lose weight.

5. Help Maintain Healthy Skin and Eyes

Benefits of root vegetables also include promoting healthy skin. The beta-carotene and vitamin C these veggies contain can help build and defend skin cells. Furthermore, beta-carotene can help reverse free radical damage, which is often the culprit behind age-related eye disorders, like macular degeneration

and cataracts. It’s also what leads to sun spots, wrinkles, UV damage, and even skin cancer.

6. Contain Anticancer Antioxidants

Almost all root vegetables contain antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Furthermore, purple sweet potatoes contain anthocyanins, which can stop oxidative damage as well as brain degeneration.

7. Help Lower Cholesterol and Improve Heart Health

A diet high in fiber that contains both soluble and insoluble fibers is important for heart health. This is where benefits of root vegetables come into play again. Their fiber content can help lower cholesterol, which helps protect your body from a buildup of plague. This in turn lowers risk for heart disease, heart

attacks and stroke. Furthermore, if you struggle with low potassium, consider adding more root vegetables into your diet. They keep your heart healthy with their high amount of potassium. This is beneficial for healthy blood

pressure, nerve signaling as well as fluid balance.

8. Help Fight Cancer and Cognitive Disorders

Benefits of root vegetables include fighting cancer. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of these veggies, such as vitamins A and C, which can act like natural cancer treatments. Furthermore, benefits of root vegetables include fighting cognitive disorders. This is because reduced levels of inflammation are associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Now that you know the various ways in which root vegetables can benefit your health, which ones do you choose? Below is a list of the 10 healthiest root vegetables. Try cycling through them to see which ones are your favorites!

Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Beets, Radishes, Rutabaga, Onions, Garlic, Carrots, Celery Root (celeriac), Horseradish