Q. I had a terrible scare last week. After a bowel movement I looked in the toilet and saw a huge amount of what I assumed was blood. It was bright red and colored the entire bowl.
I immediately called my doctor and the receptionist added to my fears by telling me I needed to come in right away for tests. I have never had hemorrhoids so I began worrying about colon cancer.
When I saw my physician, the first thing he asked me was what I had eaten the day before. Nothing came to mind until he asked about beets. Sure enough, I had a big serving of beet salad at a potluck. My doctor tested me for blood and assured me there was nothing to worry about. Why do beets do this?
A. Beets contain the pigment betacyanin, which is notorious for passing through the digestive tract and producing a red stool. Animal research suggests that beets may help protect against colon cancer and also lower cholesterol.
There is also growing evidence that beets can lower blood pressure about as well as many popular medications. If you would like to learn more about the healing power of beets and other foods, you may be interested in our book from National Geographic, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies. It lists our favorite foods from beets and blueberries to yogurt and walnuts and why they are so good for you.
