The effect is down to beetroot's high level of nitrates, said Caryn Zinn, dietitian and NZ Nutrition Foundation sports nutrition committee member.
"They can do all sorts of positive things, such as reducing blood pressure,'' she said.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Beetroot also has benefits for sports people, Dr Zinn said, as other recent studies have shown it helps improve stamina by reducing the oxygen cost of exercise.
Leafy green vegetables, such as celery, lettuce, spinach and rocket, are also good sources of nitrates, but beetroot is a particularly concentrated source.
However, Dr Zinn urged caution around drinking some commercial beetroot juices which may contain added sugar.
"If you're drinking a whole lot of beetroot juice, yes you're getting some nitrates, but sugar and to a certain extent carbohydrates are also currently being implicated in cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes.
"You're still getting the benefit by eating the vegetable,'' she said.
For best health benefits, she said, beetroot should be eaten as part of a healthy diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Heinz Wattie's is New Zealand's major beetroot grower. This year it harvested a record 26,000 tonne crop in Hawke's Bay, up by 80 per cent on last year. Most of the crop was destined for export markets.
Production at Hawke's Bay has increased after Heinz Wattie's moved some of its beetroot production from Australia.
New Zealanders consume about 2400 tonnes - about six million cans - of Heinz Wattie's canned beetroot a year, with another 600 tonnes supplied to the hospitality industry.
