Nutrients & Vitamins in Beets

A beet is a vegetable that grows in early spring. The vegetable is packed with flavor and vitamins. Both the greens and the root of this plant are edible, and each offers different nutrients. Beets are a low-calorie food option when you are looking for a vegetable rich in vitamin A, B and C.

Nutrients in Beet Roots

• The beet's roots are known as the beet. This part of the beet is high in both Vitamin C and folate (or Vitamin B). Beets contain only 44 calories for a 3/4 cup serving and satisfies 17 percent of the daily recommended quantity of Vitamin C.

Nutrients in the Greens

• A half cup of cooked greens contains 30 percent of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C. The greens also provide Vitamin A.

Vitamin C

• Humans can't produce their own Vitamin C and must eat foods rich with the vitamin, which is an important component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments and bone. This vitamin also aids in brain function.

Vitamin B

• Vitamin B is well-known for helping prevent birth defects in fetuses when taken by the mother during pregnancy.

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is important to retina function and is known to affect gene transcription. The vitamin is also very important to the immune system and helps defend the human body against infection.