Top 10 Root Vegetables You Should Eat More Often

Root vegetables grow beneath ground level so you can rest assured that they are packed with nutrients. They are good sources of complex carbohydrates that give you energy, as well as dietary fiber that wards off constipation and hemorrhoids, and lowers your risk of colon cancer. Additionally, root vegetables are phenomenal sources of vitamins A for healthy eyes and sharp vision, and vitamin C for young-looking skin and a strong immune system.
So without further ado, here’s a list of the healthiest root vegetables that you should try to incorporate in your diet more often for your optimum health:

Carrots. Everyone knows that carrots are loaded with vitamin A that’s good for your eyes — their beautiful orange color is a clear sign! Recent studies have shown that the regular intake of carrots is also vital for healthy lungs. What’s so nice about carrots is they’re so versatile — they can be steamed, roasted, turned into smoothies or eaten raw.

Butternut squash. Just like carrots, butternut squash are exceptional sources of vitamin A. The darker the coloration is, the more vitamin A present, so get your hands on butternut squash with the deepest orange color. Furthermore, these root vegetables also contain magnesium, calcium and immune-boosting vitamin C.

Beets. According to experts, betalains found abundantly in beets help promote liver health and eliminate toxins in the body. It’s no wonder why a lot of health-conscious people are adding these root vegetables to their salads and smoothies. Beets are also good sources of phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

Radishes. Just like beets, radishes are also known to help get rid of impurities and poisonous substances that have accumulated within. This is the reason why experts are saying that the regular consumption of radishes may help lower your risk of ending up with deadly cancer. Also, radishes are high in water so they help you stay hydrated.

Yams. With so many varieties to choose from, you are not going to have a hard time incorporating yams in your diet on a regular basis. These root crops are wonderful sources of potassium that helps lower blood pressure, as well as vitamin B6 that’s important for healthy brain, nerves and blood vessels, and for warding off depression and anxiety.

Fennel. You must have encountered a lot of home remedies for various health and beauty problems that mention fennel seeds. Well, fennel themselves are just as amazing. Related to carrots, fennel is rich in iron, a mineral that’s important for the production of red blood cells — and that’s why it can help prevent anemia from developing.

Turnips. Just like fennel, turnips provide iron that helps in warding off anemia. Related to kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, turnips also help strengthen your immune system as they contain good amounts of vitamin C. If you have eaten turnip greens before, then you should definitely try consuming the root part, too!

Cassava. A staple in Asian, Latin American and African diets, cassava is an incredible source of those energizing complex carbohydrates. Definitely, it is loaded with dietary fiber as well. Cassava is usually boiled but it can actually be added to stews. Another popular way to consume cassava is by turning this nutritious root crop into chips.

Sweet potatoes. This list of the healthiest root vegetables that you should eat more often won’t be complete without mentioning sweet potatoes. Their nutritional profile is simply impressive — rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C and E. Sweet potatoes can be eaten in a number of ways, from baking, roasting to turning them into pies.

Jerusalem artichokes. Nope, they’re not native to Jerusalem, and they are actually more like potatoes than artichokes. But despite of these inconsistencies, artichokes should be consistently included in your diet. That’s because they contain phosphorous, potassium, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin C.

 

 

 

Source: about.com

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