When to not eat beets? Understanding the health considerations

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research, beetroot is a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins, minerals, and nitrates, which have been shown to lower blood pressure. However, for certain individuals with specific health conditions, it's crucial to understand when to not eat beets to avoid potential complications and side effects.

Quick Summary

This guide covers key health conditions where beet consumption should be limited or avoided, including kidney stones, low blood pressure, IBS, and gout, detailing the scientific reasons behind these precautions.

Key Points

High Oxalates: Beets are rich in oxalates, which can increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones, especially for those with a history of them.
Hypotension Risk: Their nitrate content lowers blood pressure, making beets potentially unsafe for individuals with pre-existing low blood pressure.
Medication Interactions: Beets can interact with blood pressure medications and blood thinners like Warfarin, requiring medical consultation.
Digestive Discomfort: Due to high FODMAPs (fructans) in larger servings, beets can cause bloating and gas for people with IBS.
Gout Trigger: Excessive consumption can increase uric acid levels due to oxalates, potentially triggering gout attacks.
Blood Sugar Monitoring: Diabetics should be cautious with beet juice, as it can cause blood sugar spikes without the fiber of whole beets.
Moderate Intake: For all individuals, moderation is key to avoid potential side effects from excessive intake, such as high nitrate levels or digestive upset.

Who Should Avoid or Limit Beets?

While beets are a healthful addition to many diets, certain individuals must be cautious, especially with concentrated forms like beet juice.

Individuals Prone to Kidney Stones

Beets contain oxalates, which can contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones in susceptible individuals. Beet greens are particularly high in oxalates, and cooking does not significantly reduce the content. Consuming calcium with beets may help reduce oxalate absorption.

People with Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Beets contain nitrates that can lower blood pressure. This can be problematic for those with hypotension, potentially causing dizziness or fainting. Concentrated beet juice has a stronger effect and should be avoided by individuals with low blood pressure.

Individuals on Certain Medications

Beets can interact with several medications:

Blood Pressure Medications: The blood pressure-lowering effect can be enhanced, potentially leading to an unsafe drop.
Blood Thinners: Beets contain vitamin K, which affects blood clotting. Changes in beet intake can interfere with medications like warfarin.
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: Beets are high in potassium, which could lead to high potassium levels in those taking these diuretics.

Those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Beets contain fructans, a type of FODMAP that can trigger digestive symptoms in individuals with IBS. While small portions may be tolerated, larger amounts can cause bloating, gas, and pain. Pickled beets may be better tolerated as the process can reduce FODMAPs.

People with Gout

The high oxalate content in beets can increase uric acid levels, potentially triggering gout flare-ups in susceptible individuals. It's advisable to limit or avoid beets during active flares.

Diabetics and Blood Sugar Concerns

Beets contain natural sugars, and beet juice is particularly concentrated. While fiber in whole beets helps manage sugar absorption, beet juice can cause blood sugar spikes. Diabetics should consume beets in moderation and monitor blood sugar, especially with beet juice.

Potential Risks of Excessive Beet Consumption

Even for healthy individuals, excessive beet intake can have side effects. High nitrate levels, particularly from juice and powders, are a concern, though research on potential links to carcinogenic compounds is ongoing. Beeturia, a harmless red or pink discoloration of urine or stool, is another potential side effect.

Navigating Beet Consumption with Health Concerns

This comparison table outlines which forms of beets may be more suitable for individuals with specific health conditions.


Health Condition	Whole Beets (Cooked)	Whole Beets (Raw)	Beet Juice (Concentrated)	Pickled Beets
Kidney Stone Risk	Limit, due to oxalates	Limit, high oxalates	Avoid, high oxalate concentration	Limit, can still contain oxalates
Low Blood Pressure	Limit, can lower BP	Limit, can lower BP	Avoid, potent BP-lowering effect	Consume with caution
IBS (FODMAPs)	Small portions OK, large are high FODMAP	Small portions OK, large are high FODMAP	Avoid, high FODMAP concentration	Often lower FODMAP, better tolerated
Gout Risk	Limit, due to oxalates raising uric acid	Limit, due to oxalates	Avoid, potent oxalate concentration	Limit, can still contain oxalates
Diabetes	Consume in moderation, high fiber	Consume in moderation	Avoid, high natural sugars, lacks fiber	Choose low-sugar varieties

Alternatives and Safe Consumption Tips

For those who need to limit or avoid beets, alternatives like spinach, kale (with oxalate consideration), and carrots can offer similar nutrients.

For those who can tolerate beets in moderation, consider these tips:

Start small to gauge tolerance.
Pair with calcium to help with oxalate absorption.
Choose whole beets over juice for the added fiber.
Pickled beets may be better for IBS due to lower FODMAPs.
Consult a healthcare professional if you have health conditions or take medication.

Conclusion

While nutritious, beets are not suitable for everyone. Individuals with conditions such as a history of kidney stones, low blood pressure, IBS, gout, or those on certain medications should exercise caution or avoid beets. Understanding these potential risks and consuming beets mindfully is key to making informed dietary choices. Your individual health profile is the most important factor in determining when to not eat beets? or if avoidance is necessary.

Understanding the health benefits of beets is useful, but awareness of their limitations is equally important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for individuals susceptible to them. Beets contain high levels of oxalates, which can bind with calcium to form kidney stones in people with a history of this condition. It's recommended to limit intake and consult a doctor if you are at risk.

Yes. Beet juice is known to lower blood pressure due to its high nitrate content. For people with pre-existing hypotension, drinking beet juice could cause an excessive and potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness or fainting.

Beeturia is the harmless condition where urine or stools turn pink or red after eating beets, caused by the pigment betalain. It's not a health concern and is a sign that the pigments were not fully broken down during digestion.

Yes, in larger servings. According to Monash University, beets contain fructans, which are FODMAPs. A small portion (around 2 tablespoons) is considered low FODMAP, but larger amounts can trigger symptoms like bloating and gas in people with IBS.

It is wise for people with gout to limit or be cautious with their beet intake. The oxalates in beets can increase uric acid levels, which can trigger painful gout attacks.

Yes. Beets can interact with blood pressure-lowering medications, causing an exaggerated effect. They also contain vitamin K, which can interfere with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, so consistency is key.

In moderation, yes, especially when consuming whole beets that provide fiber to slow sugar absorption. However, concentrated beet juice can cause blood sugar spikes and should be approached with caution, with blood sugar levels monitored.