Britain is experiencing a beetroot boom, with supermarket sales of the root vegetable increasing by as much as a third year-on-year on the back of the ‘purple trend’ – people eating purple to consume more antioxidants and nutrients in a bid to stay healthy.
Leading researchers Kantar cite the total market spend over the past 12 months on fresh beetroot – beetroot which is ready for eating, pickled in vinegar or infused with various flavours – was more than £34 million, which is an increase of six per cent year on year.
Dr Carrie Ruxton, an award-winning dietitian, health writer and TV nutritionist, who put together the beetroot health benefits on behalf of Love Beetroot said: “The huge boost to beetroot sales shows that more and more people are recognising the benefits of introducing a bit of purple into their diets.
“Studies show that eating a colourful concoction of vegetables each week is far better for health than sticking with two or three favourite types.
“Given the nutritional properties of beetroot – delivering benefits from beauty to sports performance and heart health – it seems crazy not to eat it on a regular basis.”
Now experts on behalf of Love Beetroot have come up with a list of benefits – and weird facts – about the colourful food.
See how well you know your beets: