Celebrating Heart Health: Berry in Love with Beets
February is Heart Health Month, an excellent opportunity to focus on the nutritional choices that support cardiovascular wellness. Among the superfoods with increasing attention for their heart benefits is beets and haskap berries. haskalifeTM has formulated a Beet+Haskap Berry Powder to amp up the wellness factor.
Both beets and haskap berries are rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants that can play a role in promoting heart health. At HaskalifeTM, we believe in harnessing the power of nature to support our well-being, and our proprietary formulation of Beet+Haskap Berry Powder is no exception.
Beet Powder: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Our Beet+Haskap Berry Powder blend is formulated and created to bring you the best of beets and haskap berries. Haskap berries are rich in powerful anthocyanins; while beets contain two important bio-actives - dietary nitrates and betalains.
Studies indicate that anthocyanins play a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are linked to heart disease1. Research shows that a diet enriched with anthocyanin-rich foods, like haskap berries, may improve cholesterol levels and overall vascular health. One study found that participants consuming high amounts of anthocyanins exhibited better lipid profiles, including lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol2. These compounds not only improve cardiovascular health but also enhance overall well-being.
The presence of dietary nitrates in beets contributes to their heart-healthy reputation—these compounds may help relax blood vessels, supporting circulation. The ability of beets to aid in the dilation of blood vessels may contribute to a healthier heart, making it an ideal addition to improving cardiovascular health.
Betalains are a group of antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Research has indicated that betalains can improve blood vessel function, enhance circulation, and improve athletic performance and recovery time3. Unlike dietary nitrates available in spinach, kale, and other green vegetables; sources of Betalains are limited in the North American diet to beets and Swiss chard; furthermore, betalains are sensitive to heat – either during processing or cooking in your kitchen. Enter haskalife's Beet+Haskap Berry Powder.
A Winning Combination: Beet + Haskap Berry Powder
When combined, haskalifeTM’s proprietary blend of Beet+Haskap Berry Powder create a potent health booster. This delicious and nutrient-dense powder offers the synergistic effects of both superfoods, making it a convenient and effective way to support heart health. The blend of anthocyanins from our selected haskap berries along with betalains and dietary nitrates from beets provides a robust source of antioxidants that can help combat the risk factors associated with heart disease. Our innovative freeze-drying method preserves the unique flavours and rich colours of the fruits while locking in their essential nutrients. Freeze-drying is an exceptional process that eliminates moisture without applying heat, preventing the degradation of sensitive compounds like anthocyanins and betalains.
Our Commitment to Quality
At haskalifeTM, we take great care in growing our beets and haskap berry varietals at our farm in Picture Butte, Alberta to maximize both the anthocyanin content as well as the delicious tart but sweet flavour profile. Our commitment from field to your table ensures we can control every aspect of the planting through harvesting of our berries and beets. In our on-site processing facility we freeze dry and package our products without the use of any anti-caking, agents, preservatives or additives; making our products clean and sustainable with single ingredients.
Incorporating Beet + Haskap Berry Powder into Your Diet
Incorporating haskalifeTM’s Beet+Haskap Berry Powder into your diet can be easy and delicious. Add this powder to your smoothies, salad, lunch bowls or hummus as a convenient, delicious flavour enhancer and nutrient boost!
Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
References:
1: Esposito, K., et al. (2014). "Role of antioxidants in cardiovascular disease." Journal of Cardiology.
2: Zu, L. et al. (2021). "Anthocyanins, Anthocyanin-Rich Berries, and Cardiovascular Risks: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 44 Randomized Controlled Trials and 15 Prospective Cohort Studies." Frontiers in Nutrition
3: Van Hoorebeke, J.S. et. al. (2016). "Betalain-Rich Concentrate Supplementation Improves Exercise Performance in Competitive Runners.” Sports Nutrition for Health and Performance