## 3 Potential Use of Beetroot for the Development of Functional Meat Products: Health Implications
With this in mind, and taking into account that the carcinogenesis process is the event whereby a cell is transformed into neoplastic form due to the oxidative stress, the phenolic compounds could be considered as potential anti-carcinogenic agents [42]. The combination of phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, pectin, and fiber found in beetroot have an important positive effect on gastrointestinal health because they modulate the gut microbiota and promote the growth of probiotic bacteria (bifidogenic effects) [21]. Additionally, these compounds stimulated the intestinal excretion of cholesterol and cholesterol metabolites, which result in a hypocholesterolem effect, improving blood pressure with a clear antihypertensive effect [26]. The anticoagulant properties of beetroot also were related to the high content of both phenolic acids and flavonoids in this vegetable [47]. Finally, blood glucose effect of beetroot could be linked to the flavonoid content. These compounds inhibit the \(\alpha\)-amylase and \(\alpha\)-glucosidase activities, which delay the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and suppress postprandial hyperglycemia [45]. It has also been proposed that glucose-lowering effects may be due to the inhibition of glucose transporters by flavonoids, or may be due to the inhibition of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis by saponins [45]. Therefore, the mechanism is not yet completely clear, so it should be further investigated. Moreover, in a recent study, beetroot juice was found to effectively lessen the impact of insulin resistance in a similar way that diabetic pharmaceutical products would [51]. On the other hand, consumption of high levels of nitrate may be a potential health risk. This is related with the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds, which are recognized as carcinogenic, and may also induce several other adverse effects [58]. However, some may consider the nitrates found in beetroot as an important nutrient from the health point of view [26]. Dietary nitrate is biocontrol into nitric oxide, which increases in vivo nitric oxide availability [26]. This compound is related to cardio-protective effects, and it is responsible for lowering blood pressure and providing vasoprotection that prevents some diseases such as hypertension and endothelial function [10; 51]. In fact, a recent study in humans demonstrated that the ingestion of beetroot juice significantly decreased blood pressure proportionally to the increase of plasma nitrite [59]. At the present time, the cardio-protective effects of beetroot are basically linked to the increase in nitrate intake and the subsequent increase in nitric oxide in blood [51]. However, after conducting a study directed toward this phenomenon, authors have pointed out that the protective effect against hypertension is not due exclusively to nitrates [60]. These authors demonstrate the blood pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice and highlight its potential nitrate-independent effects. Even so, beetroot and its biological active compounds are potentially safe and cost-effective nutritional products for managing several diseases such as hypertension and preventing undesirable cardiovascular outcomes [60]. Taking into account the data available in the literature, it seems clear that the compounds (mainly betalains, phenolic compounds, and nitrate [56]) present in beetroot and their products could be used for the treatment of various metabolic disorders and diseases [51]. Therefore, it is important to note that the use of these beetroot products as an ingredient in the reformulation of meat products imparts these health benefits, which allows the development of multiple functional products [5].