**5. Composition values**

Its beneficial dietary and medicinal effects are due to the high content of red color content (betacyanins), high vitamins (C, B), minerals, and fiber. Examination of its composition has accelerated since the discovery of antitumor, which has been the subject of numerous studies worldwide [12]. The processing of beets and the consumption of products made from them has increased rapidly since it was recognized as an extremely rich source of antioxidants [17].

#### **5.1 Nutrient content**

Numerous studies report that the nutrient content of fresh beetroots is influenced by the variety, growing, and harvesting conditions alike [17]. **Table 1** shows that

*Red Beetroot (*Beta Vulgaris *L.) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106692*


#### **Table 1.**

*Energy components of beet per 100 g.*

beetroots are a good source of carbohydrates and protein. Because it contains little fat and no cholesterol at all, it results in a low-calorie intake. This is one of the reasons why it fits well into a weight loss diet. Its relatively high carbohydrate and sugar content does not affect this either, as the body immediately converts its easy-to-use sugar content into energy [9]. In terms of sugar content, it is a beneficial property for athletes to contain the highest amounts of sucrose, as it is beneficial for them to consume low concentrations of fructose and high sucrose, thereby increasing their physical capacity [22, 23]. A significant amount of sucrose content is also confirmed by a study conducted by WRUSS et al. [24], which examined the sugar content of seven popular beetroot varieties. The average sugar content of the investigated beetroot variety was 77.5 g/l, which contained 94.8% sucrose, 3.3% glucose, and less than 1.9% fructose.

Beetroots contain significant amounts of essential and non-essential amino acids (**Table 2**).

#### **5.2 Macroelements**

Beetroots contain large amounts of metallic macronutrients. These are potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium (**Table 3**). Magnesium is an activator of


#### **Table 2.**

*Amount of each amino acid present in beetroots [25].*


#### **Table 3.**

*Mineral content of beetroot per 100 g.*

many enzymes that catalyze carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid synthesis, an antagonist to potassium, and has a synergistic relationship with phosphorus [26]. Of the trace elements, it contains the largest amount of iron, which plays a key role in the uptake, transport, and storage of oxygen [27].

CSIKKELNÉ et al. [28] found that the microelement content of different parts within the beetroot plant is significantly different. Overall, the leaf usually has the highest mineral content, much less the peel and flesh of beetroot body. While the calcium content of the leaf is 156 mg/100 g, this value is 21 mg/100 g in the peel of beetroot body and 10 mg/100 g in the flesh of beetroot body. Concentrations of potassium, sodium, and magnesium are also much higher in beetroot leaves than in the body. In contrast, in terms of phosphorus content, the peel of beetroot body (66 mg/100 g) and the flesh of beetroot body part (49 mg/100 g) contains higher concentrations than the leaf (37 mg/100 g). Among the trace elements, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc occur in the largest quantities in the leaves.

Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, and folic acid are significantly detectable in beets (**Table 4**).

#### **5.3 Reducing compounds and other bioactive components**

Consumption of beetroot juice is quite advantageous because it contains large amounts of antioxidants and other bioactive components [29]. Beetroots contain betalains [3], ascorbic acid [4], carotenoids [8, 30, 31], polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins [32, 33], and high levels of nitrate [34, 35] (**Figure 2**). Some bioactive components are present in small amounts, such as glycerin, betanin [36], and folic acid [37].

#### *5.3.1 Phenolic compounds*

Beetroots have a significant content of phenolic acid and flavonoids. In a study carried out by KATHIRAVAN and coworkers [38], 50-60 μmol/g DW phenolic acid
