Raw Beetroot delivers a concentrated dose of dietary nitrate, betalain pigments, folate, and fiber that cooking partially breaks down or reduces. Much of the interest in beetroot comes from two key compounds: nitrates that can be converted into nitric oxide and betalains that provide antioxidant effects..
Once eaten, nitrate from beetroot is converted step by step into nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes and widens blood vessels.
Wider blood vessels mean easier blood flow, which is the mechanism behind most of beetroot’s studied benefits, from blood pressure to endurance.
Raw beetroot preserves more of its natural nitrate and vitamin C because it hasn’t been exposed to heat. However, boiling can lower its oxalate content, which may be important when considering potential side effects.