Why Do I Feel Dizzy After Drinking Beetroot Juice?

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2015 study funded by the British Heart Foundation, a daily glass of beetroot juice can effectively lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. However, this same powerful blood pressure-lowering effect is the primary reason why some people feel dizzy after drinking beetroot juice.

Quick Summary

Beetroot juice contains natural nitrates that can cause a rapid drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, especially for individuals with low blood pressure or those on medication. High oxalate content may also contribute to issues, and some people experience digestive discomfort like nausea.

Key Points

Blood Pressure Drop: Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates that convert to nitric oxide, causing blood vessels to relax and blood pressure to drop significantly, which can lead to dizziness.
Low Blood Pressure Risk: Individuals with naturally low blood pressure (hypotension) or those on blood pressure medication are at a higher risk of experiencing dizziness due to the juice's effects.
Digestive Distress: The compound betaine can cause stomach upset, nausea, and cramping, especially when consumed in large quantities or on an empty stomach, which can induce a feeling of dizziness.
Oxalate Levels: High oxalate content can cause mineral imbalances and, for some, contribute to generalized feelings of fatigue and malaise that might feel like dizziness.
Moderate Your Intake: To prevent dizziness, start with a small, diluted serving and increase gradually over time to allow your body to adjust to the powerful effects.
Combine with Food: Drinking beetroot juice with a meal can help slow absorption and buffer the impact on your blood pressure, reducing the likelihood of sudden lightheadedness.

The Powerful Vasodilatory Effects of Nitrates

Beetroot is naturally rich in dietary nitrates, compounds that are converted into nitric oxide (NO) in the body. Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator, meaning it helps to relax and widen your blood vessels. This improved blood flow is why beetroot juice is so effective at lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for people with hypertension. However, for people who already have naturally low blood pressure (hypotension) or are taking blood pressure medication, this rapid and significant drop can cause noticeable and unpleasant side effects like dizziness and lightheadedness. The feeling of dizziness is a direct result of a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain as blood pressure decreases.

How Nitrates Are Converted in the Body

Ingestion: You drink beetroot juice, consuming the high concentration of dietary nitrates.
Conversion: Bacteria in the mouth and enzymes in the body convert these nitrates into nitrites, and then into nitric oxide.
Vasodilation: Nitric oxide signals the smooth muscles in your blood vessel walls to relax, causing the vessels to widen.
Blood Pressure Drop: The widening of blood vessels reduces resistance to blood flow, leading to a decrease in overall blood pressure.
Dizziness: If this drop is too fast or too significant, the body's systems can be overwhelmed, leading to a temporary sensation of dizziness or lightheadedness.

Other Contributing Factors to Dizziness

Beyond the blood pressure effect, other components in beetroot juice can play a role in making you feel unwell.

Potential Digestive Issues

Some individuals find that beetroot juice can upset their stomach. This is often linked to the presence of betaine, a compound in beets that can trigger digestive discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea in some people. Consuming a large amount of juice on an empty stomach can exacerbate this effect. Stomach discomfort can sometimes be accompanied by a general feeling of being unwell, which may be perceived as or contribute to a feeling of dizziness.

Oxalate Content and Mineral Imbalance

Beetroots are also high in oxalates. While not a direct cause of dizziness for most people, high oxalate intake can interfere with the body's absorption of certain minerals. For individuals prone to kidney stones, oxalates can bind with calcium and form crystals. In rare cases, an imbalance of minerals or other systemic effects from high oxalate levels could potentially contribute to fatigue and general malaise that might be misinterpreted as dizziness.

Overconsumption of Sugar

Beetroot juice is a concentrated source of natural sugars. Juicing removes the fiber that would normally help regulate sugar absorption. For some individuals, particularly those with diabetes or sensitivity to sugar spikes, consuming a large amount of juice at once can lead to a fluctuation in blood sugar levels. This can cause symptoms like lightheadedness or fatigue.

How to Safely Enjoy Beetroot Juice Without Dizziness

If you experience dizziness after drinking beetroot juice, you don't necessarily have to give up its benefits entirely. There are several strategies to minimize side effects.


Strategy	Description	Best for...
Start with a smaller serving.	Begin with a diluted portion (e.g., mixing with water or other juices) and gradually increase the amount as your body adjusts.	Beginners or those with minor sensitivity.
Drink with a meal.	Consuming the juice with food can help slow down the absorption of nitrates and buffer their effect on blood pressure.	Anyone prone to blood pressure drops or nausea.
Monitor your dosage.	Be mindful of how much you consume. Most studies showing benefits use around 250ml per day. Don't overdo it.	Regular drinkers who suddenly feel dizzy.
Consult a doctor.	If you have pre-existing low blood pressure or take medication for hypertension, speak with a healthcare provider before incorporating beetroot juice regularly.	Individuals with a medical history of hypotension.

Conclusion

For most people, the dizziness felt after drinking beetroot juice is a temporary and harmless side effect caused by its blood pressure-lowering properties. This is due to the high concentration of nitrates, which convert to nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels. However, digestive issues, oxalate sensitivity, and sugar spikes can also contribute. By moderating your intake, starting with small amounts, and consuming the juice with a meal, you can often mitigate these side effects. If you have a history of low blood pressure or are on medication, it is always best to consult with a doctor before making it a regular part of your diet. A mindful approach will allow you to enjoy the many health benefits of beetroot juice without the unwanted dizziness.

External Resource

For more in-depth information on how diet affects blood pressure, you can refer to the Medical News Today article on beet juice and blood pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nitrates in beetroot convert into nitric oxide in your body, which causes your blood vessels to widen and your blood pressure to drop. If your blood pressure drops too low, or too quickly, it can reduce blood flow to your brain, causing dizziness.

If you have low blood pressure (hypotension), you should be cautious with beetroot juice. The potent blood pressure-lowering effects could cause a dangerous drop, leading to fainting, weakness, and severe dizziness. It is best to consult a doctor before incorporating it into your diet.

To prevent dizziness, start with a small amount of diluted juice, perhaps mixing it with other juices or water. Drink it alongside a meal, rather than on an empty stomach, to slow its absorption. This allows your body more time to adjust to the effects on your blood pressure.

Beets contain a compound called betaine, which can cause digestive issues like nausea and stomach cramps, especially when consumed in high concentrations or on an empty stomach. Mixing the juice with food can help mitigate these symptoms.

Yes, it can. Since beetroot juice naturally lowers blood pressure, it can increase the effect of blood pressure-lowering medications, potentially causing your blood pressure to drop too low. If you are on medication, you must speak with a healthcare provider before regular consumption.

For most healthy individuals, temporary dizziness is not a sign of a serious problem. It is simply a physiological response to the rapid drop in blood pressure. However, persistent or severe dizziness, especially with other symptoms like fainting or confusion, warrants medical attention.

There is no official guideline for beetroot juice dosage, and tolerance varies by individual. Many studies showing positive effects use around 250ml daily. Starting with a smaller serving, such as a quarter or half cup, is recommended to gauge your body's reaction before increasing intake.