There is one type of vegetable full of minerals that could support your overall health.
Root vegetables are excellent to add to your diet because of the different health benefits they offer. Sweet potatoes, beets and garlic are all examples of root vegetables.
Now a video on the TikTok page healthokia, which provides daily health information and focuses on nutrition, wellness and fitness, broke down what minerals are in different root vegetables. These food products are easily accessible in supermarket fresh produce aisles.
The caption of the TikTok video reads: “Root veggies are packed with minerals that support your health! Here’s the breakdown: The root veggie with the most Magnesium: Sweet Potatoes
"The root veggie with the most Iron: Beets. The root veggie with the most Potassium: Potatoes. The root veggie with the most Zinc: Celeriac. The root veggie with the most Selenium: Garlic. Boost your health with these nutrient-packed roots!"
The video secured 48,000 views and more than 2,000 likes. Some TikTok users commented to thank the page for sharing this information as one person said: “Great info for better health.”
Sweet potato is a starchy, sweet-tasting root vegetable. It has a thin, brown outer skin with bright-coloured flesh – most commonly orange, but other varieties include white, purple or yellow.
It is rich in magnesium as a 124g serving of sweet potato has 19.8mg, according to Medical News Today. Magnesium is an essential mineral as every cell in your body needs it to function, states Healthline.
Sweet potatoes also offer other health benefits. They may reduce the risk of cancer, may support digestive and heart health, may support the brain and nervous system and are low in fat, making it great for those on a diet.
Beetroot or beets are high in iron and this mineral is vital as it makes red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, according to the NHS. Beetroot is a root vegetable also known as red beet or garden beet.
Both the leaves and root of beetroot can be eaten – the leaves have a bitter taste, whereas the root is sweet. They are often used raw in salads and can also be made into beet juice, a popular healthy beverage. As well as being high in iron, beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.
Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium as one medium baked potato with skin contains 926 mg of potassium. This important mineral allows the nerves to respond to stimulation and muscles to contract, including those in the heart.
It also reduces the effect of sodium (found in table salt) on blood pressure and it helps move nutrients into cells, and waste products out of cells. Potatoes contain plenty of vitamins and other minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, phosphorus, protein, carbohydrates and fibre.
Celeriac is a root vegetable that has a similar taste to celery and is ideal mashed or added to stews. It is a good source of zinc which plays a key role in skin health, immune function, and cell growth and may protect against acne and inflammation.
This root vegetable is packed with antioxidants, which are anti-inflammatory, and it is rich in other minerals too. Celeriac is high in fibre and a good source of vitamins B6, C and K.
Garlic is a very common root vegetable and is used to cook many dishes. It is known for its strong taste but it also has several health benefits.
Selenium is found in garlic and this mineral can help support the healthy functioning of your body, including your metabolism, immune system, and thyroid function. Garlic also acts as an anticoagulant, so reduces the risk of heart attacks, it may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and could relieve the symptoms of arthritis.
