Beets, Beta vulgaris, have a number of properties that support good health. According to The Ohio State University, beets are rich in minerals and vitamins, such as iron and vitamin C. Just one beet can deliver:
Although many people suggest that those properties should and could relate directly to skin health, there's no current direct clinical research to back this up.
Claims that beetroot and beetroot juice can benefit the skin are likely attributed to its vitamin C content. Some of these proposed beneficial properties include:
Because beets are high in vitamin C, some consider beets to be good for the skin, even suggesting that they can protect from signs of aging, such as wrinkles.
According to Oregon State University, both topical and dietary vitamin C have beneficial effects on skin cells. Vitamin C is found in both the outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis, and the layer of skin under your epidermis, called the dermis. The dermis contains:
Vitamin C is also found in anti-aging skin care products because of its:
Because of vitamin C's anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used in the treatments of conditions such as acne.
According to a 2018 study, however, it's often used along with other treatments such as antibiotics and zinc. Those that suggest beets as a potential cure for acne may justify their claim based on the vitamin C found in beetroot and beetroot juice.
According to a 2013 study, vitamin C can be used in treating hyperpigmentation to decrease melanin formation. Some feel that since beets contain vitamin C, they can be used for this condition.
According to a 2015 study, beetroot and its components, such as belatins and betaine, offer powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vascular-protective effects that can help:
Some of the health value of beets may be due to the fact that they're rich in dietary nitrates. Your body converts those nitrates into nitric oxide, a vital molecule that impacts many aspects of health, including helping blood vessels dilate for proper blood flow which may result in:
Beets are a low-calorie source of nutrients, including vitamin C which is often used in skin care.