Beetroot as a Potential Functional Food for Cancer Chemoprevention, a Narrative Review

Abstract

Patients with cancer are prone to several debilitating effects due to chemotherapy or the disease itself. The behavioural disturbances experienced by patients with cancer include fatigue, insomnia, depression, and cognitive disturbances. These symptoms are very common and may persist for months or years even after completion of treatment and may affect patient's quality of life. Functional foods have long been linked to improve human performance and health, and hence are considered beneficial as part of the cancer patients' diet.Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of high-nutrient vegetables used for salads and juices, and a valuable source of natural pigments. It belongs to the botanical order Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae, which is cultivated commercially. Beetroot, also known as table or garden beet, is usually grown for its roots. It has a characteristic earthy mushy aroma and flavour, mainly due to the presence of geosmin, a volatile bicyclic alcoholic compound [1]. Beetroot is known for its antioxidant activities and widely used as a remedy for a variety of ailments including cardiovascular-related conditions, anemia, sexual weakness and bladder stones [2]. Some recent clinical studies have also indicated the usefulness of beetroot in managing blood pressure and cardiovascular health [3][4][5][6]. Beetroot has also gained popularity as a supplement to boost energy and improve performance in athletes [7][8][9][10].Interestingly, in the Traditional Persian Medicine practices, beetroot is one of the foods used in the prevention and managing of metastatic progression of cancer [11]. It is also widely used in other medicinal systems including the Arab, traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Beetroot, juiced or blended, is a popular functional food among breast, prostate and colorectal cancer patients as reported in Trinidad. A study at two clinical sites on the island revealed that beetroot is being consumed by patients for the purpose of treatment, health improvement and amelioration of side effects associated with chemotherapy treatment [12]. Similarly, beetroot is also the most frequently used alternative dietetic measure among patients with cancer in Germany [13] and among a majority of gastrointestinal cancer patients in Serbia [14].

Measurement of microstructural changes promoted by ultrasound application on plant materials with different porosity

“…Concerning the soluble solids content, the eggplant sample and its juice showed the lowest value and apples showed the highest. Apples are rich in sucrose and fructose [36] , and beetroot is known as a source of sucrose [40] . Generally, the values of pH and total soluble solids are similar to those previously reported in the literature for the three products [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] .…”

Modulation of Nrf2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways by Naturally Occurring Compounds in Relation to Cancer Prevention and Therapy. Are Combinations Better Than Single Compounds?

“…Early studies on beetroot juice on DMBA treated rats showed increased activity of phase II enzymes in the liver and mammary gland, indirectly indicating the induction and activation of Nrf2 [ 77 ]. However, beetroot water extracts were not found to induce phase II enzymes in human colon adenocarcinoma cells in vitro [ 78 ]. The protective effect of beetroot juice against rat liver injury and inflammation induced by carcinogenic N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) was also demonstrated.…”

A Comprehensive Review on the Formation of Carcinogens from Food Products with Respect to Different Cooking Methods

“…Apart from these carcinogens present in food products, there are some other chemicals present in several food stuffs that are actually beneficial to the human beings [78]. Some of them have immunomodulatory benefits like taro root (Colocasia esculanta) [79], some of them may serve as a functional food for the prevention of cancer like Beetroot (Beta vulgaris), or Capsaicin [80].…”