Bull’s blood beet tops (Beta vulgaris) are very nutritious and a component of our baby mixed greens, along with kale, chard and mizuna. We chose these plants for their taste, nutrition, and beauty. Beet tops are delicious and add an earthy sweet flavour to the Sunrise Gardens salad blend. We harvest all of our mixed greens at the baby-green stage (3 to 4 weeks from seeding) not only because they are tender at that stage but due to the nutritional value. Numerous studies have shown that younger leaves contain more phytonutrients than older leaves, sometimes dramatically so.
The carotenoids (beta-carotene/ vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin) are fat soluble antioxidants that can protect cellular structures from damage, and are important for organ function. Beet tops are high in Vitamin A, which is also important for eye health.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and a water soluble antioxidant that is important for immune system health and helps to prevent cellular damage. Beet tops are high in vitamin C and contain comparable amounts as strawberries.
Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant, involved in immune function and other metabolic processes. Nuts, seeds and oils are considered among the best sources of vitamin E. Beet tops are a good source of vitamin E, containing 10 times more vitamin E than mature spinach.
Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) is required for blood coagulation and bone metabolism, and is most abundant in dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach. Beet tops are a good source of vitamin K.
| Plant Species
|
Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) | Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Carotenoid (Beta Carotene/ Vitamin A) | Carotenoid (Lutein/ Zeaxanthin) | Carotenoid (Violaxanthin) | Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) |
| Beet tops | 2.0 µg/100g | 46.4 mg/100g | 5.3 mg/100g | 4.3 mg/100g | 2.3 mg/100g | 18.5 mg/100g |
Sources
Xiao, Z., Lester, G. E., Luo, Y., & Wang, Q. (2012). Assessment of vitamin and carotenoid concentrations of emerging food products: edible microgreens. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 60(31), 7644-7651.
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (2016)
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
