Sugar beets belong to the Amaranthaceae family. This family belongs to the group of flowering plants known for their exceptional nutritional value. The sugar beet family is home to several other species like quinoa, spinach, and other beets.
The sugar beet common name is ‘beet’ as it is a close relative of the beetroot family. Sugar beets are power-packed with natural sweetness and are often used in many food and beverage products. The sucrose content in sugar beets is refined and extracted by industries to enrich their products with vital nutrients and natural sweetness.
To know more about sugar beets, continue reading.
History of Sugar Beets
When it comes to naming the sources of sugar, sugarcane tops everyone’s mind. However, there is yet another lesser known but equally important source of sugar – sugar beets.
Sugar beets are plants that contain extremely high amounts of sugar in their roots which can be easily converted to sugar.
The discovery that sugar beets contained large amounts of sugar was done in 1747. Gradually, in the early 19th century, advancement in research and cultivation methods led to the development of different varieties of sugar beets containing high sugar content. This prompted widespread cultivation of sugar beets, especially in European countries of Russia, Germany, and France.
In the 20th century, the attractiveness of sugar beets as a source of sugar was further enhanced through the valorization of other parts of the sugar beet crop.
What are Sugar Beets Used For?
You must be thinking what are sugar beets used for? We have listed below some of the major uses of sugar beets:
- Sucrose: As mentioned earlier, sugar beets contain high concentration of sucrose. It makes them the ideal choice for various culinary and industrial brands wishing to embrace the goodness of natural sugar and eliminate artificial sucrose.
- Food industry: These are economical and are used in a wide variety of products such as baked foods, sauces, beverages, etc. to enhance their flavour and increase their nutritional value.
- Biofuel production: Many industrial units use sugar beet pulp for biofuel production. Where sugar beets are grown, you can observe some chemical factories that use a biochemical process to convert beet pulp into bioethanol, biogas, or other bioenergy products.
- Industrial applications: Beyond the culinary domain, sugar beets are also used in various sectors. Its pulp is used as a livestock feed and for the production of bioenergy.
Sugar Beets Benefits
After understanding the uses of sugar beets, now let us know more about the sugar beets benefits:
- Nutritional Benefits: These are known for their exceptional nutritional value. They are low in calories and fat. They also contain a good amount of fibre, folate, manganese, and potassium. Including sugar beets in the regular diet can help one to adopt a healthy diet and contribute towards well-being and good health.
- Crop Rotation Benefits: When it comes to crop rotation, Sugar beets are highly crucial. It is a deep-rooted crop and helps to break up soil and improve overall structure of the soil. Additionally, it can absorb nutrients from deeper soil layers. It reduces the risk of nutrient depletion. It enhances the soil fertility for subsequent crops.
- Rich Source of Sucrose: The other sugar beets benefits include a good source of sucrose. It is also used widely for sugar production in many industries. The natural sucrose in sugar beets makes it a viable and best ingredient for numerous food and beverages.
- Essential Prеbiotics: The fibre in sugar bееts provides nourishments and works as a prebiotic for the gut. It helps to strengthen the gut health, leading to improved digestion and better absorption of nutrients.
- Controls Blood Pressure: Sugar beets help lower blood pressure. It improves heart health. The soluble and insoluble fibre is high in sugar beets. It removes toxins from the body and controls the sugar levels. Sugar beets are a boon for cardiovascular well-being.
- Aid in Dеtoxification: Thе bеtalains in sugar beets have great antioxidant properties. It can optimally eliminate toxins from the body.
Common Names and Cultivation of Sugar Beets
The cultivation of sugar beets involves several stages. Like any other plant, it moves from planting to harvesting. The best time for their growth is spring and harvesting happens in summer or early autumn. They develop a large, fleshy root system. This system stores and accumulates sugars. The roots are harvested and processed to extract the sugar.
Moreover, sugar beets are known by various names across different regions and countries. It is simply referred to as beets or sugar beets in many regions. The cultivation is done in the regions where the rainfall is adequate and the soil is well-drained. Some countries which are the largest producers of sugar beets include Europe, North America, and Asia. Also, the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China are leading in production and export of sugar beets.
Conclusion
The significance of sugar beets is incredible. However, there is very little and limited awareness about this exceptional root and its benefits. Taking appropriate steps to boost the production can be highly useful. It will enable us to utilise the benefit of this root to the fullest and navigate modern life simply and with agility.
