# The Role of Beetroot Ingredients in the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
## 2 General Characteristics of Alzheimer's Disease
### Neuoprotective Properties of Beets in AD  
Treatment of neurodegenerative diseases relies primarily on pharmacotherapy. In recent years, however, increasing emphasis has also been placed on choosing the proper diet to complement and facilitate the therapy. Some compounds present in plant tissues have been shown to have properties that can slow down the progression of such diseases [20]. Currently, a major trend in scientific research focuses on identifying valuable natural compounds of plant origin. In this context, the beet (_Beta vulgaris_ L.) proves to be a valid contender as it is rich in numerous bioactive compounds, including ones with proven antioxidant properties, that may have a positive impact on the condition of human organs [21; 22; 23]. Our knowledge as to the impact of consuming beetroots, or preserves made therefrom, on the prevention of various diseases, including neurodegenerative ones, has improved significantly over the last dozen or so years. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [24] demonstrated that beetroot juice, digested under in vitro conditions, showed antioxidant activity (FRAP method) and a high content of total phenols. The antioxidant capacity of the juice before digestion and after the process of simulated digestion in the stomach and in the colon was, respectively, 697.9 \(\pm\) 1.6 \(\upmu\)mol/70 mL, 2361.2 \(\pm\) 20.9 \(\upmu\)mol/70 mL, and 1740.3 \(\pm\) 21.1 \(\upmu\)mol/70 mL, expressed as the equivalent of iron (II) sulfate (VI). Another team of scientists confirmed that the consumption of beetroot may improve cerebral blood flow, and consequently cognitive function [25]. [PERSON] et al. [26] observed improved cerebral blood flow parameters induced by the consumption of beetroot by adult subjects, which also triggered an improvement in cognitive functions. [PERSON] et al. [27] analyzed the impact of beet leaf extract in cases of anxiety, depression, and oxidative stress in mice induced by acute restraint stress. The therapeutic dose administered orally was 100 and 200 mg of ethanol beet leaf extract per kg b.w. Based on the conducted analyses, it was concluded that the beet extract showed anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties. [PERSON] et al. [28] studied the impact of beet leaf extract on the inhibition of AD progression. The experiment was conducted on rats with induced AD receiving a therapeutic dose of the beet extract (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.). Based on the conducted analyses, the authors concluded that a 15-day therapy with the extract can reduce learning and memory disorders related to AD. [PERSON] et al. [29] conducted an experiment with a view to determining the impact of beet consumption on the cognitive functions and the overall progression of AD in rats receiving scopolamine. The rats received beetroot powder as a food supplement in a dose of 2 and 4%, which was observed to improve the animals' cognitive functions. A research team lead by [PERSON] [30] analyzed beetroot extract in terms of its ability to inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase. The studied extract (100 ug dry matter per mL) showed the capacity to lower the activity of acetylcholinesterase (93.3%) in comparison to the standard drug donepezil (94.2% of enzyme inhibition when used in the same concentration). [PERSON] et al. [31] conducted a study in a group of patients suffering from type II diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of consuming raw beet (100 g a day for 8 weeks) on the patients' cognitive functions. The latter were assessed using the Toulouse-Pieron (TP) and Digit Learning (DL) tests. It was found that the consumption of raw beet significantly improved antioxidant activity as well as cognitive functions. [PERSON] et al. [32] studied the impact of beet therapy in cases of cognitive disorders, reduced cholinergic transmission, and neuroinflammation induced by the administration of streptozotocin into the rats' cerebral ventricles. The therapeutic dose of beet leaf extract was 2 g/kg b.w. for 21 days.