Known also as “beet sugar”, betaine is a sweet-tasting alkaloid that acts as a methyl donor in the body. Betaine is not a pigment.

Food Sources:

Vegetables: beets, spinach, and sweet potatoes.

Health Benefits:

1. Functions along with vitamins B12, B9 and B6 to lower homocysteine level.
2. May be used in inherited homocystinuria.
3. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
4. May have a protective effect against deposition of fats in the liver (fatty liver).
5. Acts as a liver detoxifier.
6. Is used as the food supplement, betaine hydrochloride, to increase stomach acid level in people with a stomach acid deficiency.