Do Beetroots Increase Estrogen? An Evidence-Based Look at Hormonal Balance

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2017, a study conducted on mice and rabbits suggested that lyophilized beetroot could significantly increase reproductive hormones, including estrogen. This initial animal research has sparked a wider conversation, but the question remains: do beetroots increase estrogen in humans, or is their impact more complex?

Quick Summary

The effect of beetroot on estrogen levels is not a simple increase. Evidence points towards a more sophisticated role in hormonal balance, primarily by supporting liver detoxification and modulating the gut microbiome to process and excrete excess estrogen.

Key Points

Balancing, not Boosting: The consensus from human health experts suggests beetroot helps balance hormones by aiding elimination, not by directly increasing estrogen.
Liver Support: Beetroot's compounds like betaine and betalains enhance liver detoxification, helping the body clear excess estrogen efficiently.
Gut Modulation: The fiber in beetroot helps regulate the estrobolome in the gut, which plays a key role in processing and excreting estrogen.
Phytoestrogen Source: Beetroot contains weak, plant-based phytoestrogens which can mimic estrogen, but their effect is mild and modulatory.
Animal vs. Human Data: Initial animal studies showed a significant increase in reproductive hormones, but these findings do not directly apply to humans and were likely influenced by dosage and form.
Beneficial for Estrogen Dominance: For those with excess estrogen, beetroot's liver and gut support functions are most beneficial in helping to restore balance.
Menopausal Support: In postmenopausal women with low estrogen, beetroot benefits cardiovascular health (via nitrates) and offers mild hormonal support through phytoestrogens.

The Relationship Between Beetroot and Estrogen

Beetroot's impact on hormonal health is often misunderstood. While some animal studies show an increase in reproductive hormones, the overall evidence for human consumption suggests a balancing effect rather than a straightforward increase in estrogen. The key lies in understanding beetroot's role in supporting essential bodily processes, particularly liver function and the gut microbiome.

The Role of Liver Detoxification

One of the liver's critical functions is to metabolize and clear excess hormones from the body, including estrogen. A congested or sluggish liver can lead to inefficient hormone processing, contributing to conditions like estrogen dominance. Beetroot is rich in several compounds that support liver health and detoxification:

Betaine: This natural compound helps prevent fat from accumulating in the liver, protecting against fatty liver disease. A healthy liver can more effectively process and excrete hormones.
Betalains: The vibrant red pigments in beets, betalains, are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects. They help boost the production of liver enzymes that break down and eliminate toxins, including hormonal byproducts.
Antioxidants: By combating oxidative stress, beetroot's antioxidants protect liver cells from damage and support their ability to function optimally.

How Beetroot Modulates Estrogen via the Gut

Beyond liver support, beetroot fiber plays a crucial role in regulating estrogen through its effect on the gut microbiome, specifically the 'estrobolome'. The estrobolome is a collection of bacteria in the gut that is involved in estrogen metabolism. Beetroot fiber, particularly when fermented, helps modulate this process by reducing an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. By reducing this enzyme, beetroot helps prevent excess estrogen from being recycled back into the bloodstream, promoting its excretion and supporting overall hormonal balance.

Phytoestrogens in Beetroot

Beetroot also contains phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones. Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, but their action is far weaker and more nuanced than human estrogen. For individuals experiencing low estrogen levels, such as during menopause, consuming phytoestrogen-rich foods like beetroot may offer some natural support for symptoms. Conversely, in cases of estrogen dominance, beetroot's liver-supporting and gut-modulating properties help to balance, not exacerbate, the issue.

A Note on the Animal Study

It's important to contextualize the 2017 animal study that showed an increase in reproductive hormones. Animal studies do not always translate directly to human results due to differences in physiology, metabolism, and the specific form and dosage of beetroot used (in this case, lyophilized powder). Human-focused evidence points more towards a regulatory and balancing effect, especially considering beetroot's strong liver and gut-supportive properties.

Beetroot and Women's Health: Specific Contexts

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Some studies indicate that beetroot may help address hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS. Research on women with PCOS found that supplementation with ground red beets improved hormonal balance and even led to an increase in estrogen levels in some cases, contributing to better outcomes for fertility.
Menopause: During menopause, estrogen levels naturally decline. Beetroot is beneficial here not for increasing estrogen directly, but for supporting cardiovascular health, which is affected by lower estrogen. Its phytoestrogens may also offer mild support for menopausal symptoms.
Estrogen Dominance: For those with an excess of estrogen, beetroot’s liver detoxification and gut-support functions are most relevant. By helping the body efficiently process and eliminate excess estrogen, beetroot supports a return to hormonal equilibrium.

Key Differences: Boosting vs. Balancing Hormones

To clarify beetroot's role, let's compare its mechanism to that of compounds designed purely to increase estrogen. The distinction lies in whether a substance overrides the body's natural regulatory mechanisms or supports them.


Feature	Beetroot (Balancing)	Bioidentical Estrogen (Boosting)
Mechanism	Supports the liver and gut to process and excrete excess hormones. Contains mild phytoestrogens.	Directly replaces or adds estrogen to the body to correct a deficiency.
Hormonal Impact	Helps modulate the overall hormonal environment, reducing excesses and providing mild support for low levels.	Directly increases estrogen levels by supplying the hormone itself.
Primary Purpose	Health promotion, detoxification, and supporting natural hormonal regulation.	Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to treat specific hormonal deficiencies and menopausal symptoms.
Potential Risks	Generally low risk, with the main concern being oxalate content for those with kidney stone predisposition.	Can carry more significant risks, including blood clots and certain cancers, especially when not medically supervised.
Best Used For	Supporting overall well-being, liver health, and achieving hormonal equilibrium naturally.	Addressing symptoms of severe estrogen deficiency under a doctor's guidance.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Beetroot and Estrogen

So, do beetroots increase estrogen? The answer is not a simple yes. While a notable animal study suggested an increase in reproductive hormones, the more widely supported evidence indicates that beetroot acts as a hormonal balancer. It accomplishes this primarily by assisting the liver in processing and eliminating excess hormones and by supporting the gut's role in estrogen metabolism. For most individuals, especially those with hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance or liver congestion, beetroot is a valuable dietary tool for promoting equilibrium and supporting natural detoxification pathways. For those experiencing low estrogen, particularly post-menopause, its liver and cardiovascular support, combined with mild phytoestrogenic effects, offer complementary benefits. It's best viewed as a supportive superfood rather than a direct hormonal booster. Read more on how beetroot nourishes hormonal harmony here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, beetroots are often recommended for estrogen dominance because they support the liver's detoxification pathways. A healthy liver is crucial for effectively metabolizing and removing excess hormones from the body.

Beetroot juice supports overall hormonal health by enhancing liver function and providing antioxidants. While it doesn't directly raise estrogen levels significantly, its supportive role in detoxification is beneficial for hormonal balance.

Yes, beetroot contains phytoestrogens in the form of isoflavones, which are plant compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. However, their effect is much weaker than human estrogen.

Beetroot contains betaine and betalains, compounds that aid in preventing fat accumulation in the liver and boosting the production of detoxification enzymes. These actions help the liver process and excrete excess hormones more effectively.

While an animal study in 2017 showed an increase in reproductive hormones, including estrogen, with beetroot consumption, this doesn't reliably translate to humans. For women with PCOS, studies have shown that it can positively influence hormonal balance, which can support fertility.

Incorporating beetroot into a balanced diet is generally safe and recommended for supporting hormonal health. It’s a nutrient-dense food that supports the liver and gut. However, those prone to kidney stones should be mindful of its high oxalate content.

Beetroot's fiber helps modulate the 'estrobolome,' the part of the gut microbiome that regulates estrogen metabolism. By reducing a key enzyme, it helps prevent excess estrogen from re-circulating in the body and instead promotes its excretion.