Blending vegetables into smoothies is a popular practice to greatly boost the nutritional value of the drink, but some smoothie lovers fear that this will yield a gross-tasting result. However, there's one root vegetable that boosts the nutrition of your smoothie while also tasting great, despite their divisive reputation: beets.

Beets can serve as the one super-ingredient that turns a simple smoothie into a nutrient-dense healthy breakfast, as they are packed with antioxidants and inflammation-curbing betacyanin, not to mention high levels of vitamin C, iron, and potassium. If you're afraid that beets will make your smoothie taste like dirt, have no fear.

This root veggie brings a subtle earthy flavor to smoothies, adding dimension and depth without the bitterness of leafy greens, and beets are also naturally high in sugar, adding a pleasant, accessible sweetness to your drink. Beets will also give your smoothies a visually impressive deep red hue so it looks as good as it tastes.