Don’t know what to do with all that beet juice Aunt Sally bought you for Christmas? Well, it might help you get out of your driveway in this winter weather.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is experimenting with beet juice to treat icy roads this chilly season, reports CBS Pittsburgh. According to Bob Skrak of PennDOT, the juice could help salt become more effective in treating roads when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
“The salt starts to become ineffective as you drop below the 20 degree mark,” detailed Skrak. The juice mixture that PennDOT has developed improves upon a mixture the department tested out a few years ago. According to Skrak, the new elixir contains both beet juice and “other chemicals.”
He elaborated, “It can go well below zero – maybe 15, 20 below. We’re certainly going to test it on the very cold temperatures.” For now, PennDOT is only experimenting with the treatment in Butler County, located about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh.
According to WebMD, consuming beet juice can lead to lower blood pressure and improved heart health. It is also a good source of antioxidants and nitrates, and can improve performance during exercise.
