4. Beetroots
Ok, so we’re not strictly calling beetroots a high carb food – because they’re not. But they are extraordinarily rich in healthy carbs considering they’re a non-starchy vegetable, and this comes from their fibre content and to a lesser extent, their sugar content. Delicious raw, cooked or pickled, they go great in salads and with cold meats and cheeses.
The healthful beauty of beetroots comes from their high levels of naturally occurring inorganic nitrates. During digestion, the body converts these into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide has shown the ability to lower blood pressure.
It does this by having a dilating, or relaxing effect on the blood vessels, allowing more blood and therefore oxygen flow around the body, lowering blood pressure.
The extra oxygen is also a boost for athletes who sometimes use beetroot supplements to enhance performance.
Summary:
One cup of raw beetroot contains around 13g of carbohydrates. Rich in inorganic nitrates that are converted to nitric oxide, beetroots can potentially lower blood pressure.
