Experts say that while beetroot has benefits, there are also side effects. People with certain diseases should avoid eating beetroot. People with low blood pressure should also avoid eating beetroot.
- Dangerous for Patients With Low Blood Pressure: Eating beetroot can cause a drop in blood pressure among people with low blood pressure. This is because beets contain nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide by the digestive system. The result is that the blood vessels expand and relax, further lowering blood pressure. Therefore, people with low blood pressure should avoid eating beets.
- Harmful for Patients with Kidney Stones: Beets contain oxalate, a substance that can form kidney stones in people who are prone to them. People with this condition should avoid eating beets.
- People Prone to Allergic Conditions: Beetroot juice is a rich source of nutrients, including minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. However, some people have allergic reactions to beetroot. Drinking beet juice can cause the vocal cords to shrink, making swallowing difficult. If you are allergic to beets, do not eat them in any form.
- Patients With Diabetes: Though beetroot is a highly nutritious food, still, diabetic patients should avoid eating it as they are already at risk of nerve damage, which can be irreversible if not treated properly.
- People Suffering from Gouts: Beetroots contain a high amount of oxalate, which contributes to excess acid production in our bodies. However, if this acid is not regulated, it can lead to gout, which causes severe joint pain, redness and fever.
- Harmful for Livers: Beetroot is rich in several essential minerals, though the danger is that all of these are metals, and too much intake can result in a build-up in the pancreas.
There are several health benefits of beetroots that they are applauded for. However, it also has some side effects like discolouration of urine, an increased risk of stones in the kidney and may also trigger anaphylaxis or allergic reaction in some people. Beets are a natural food rich in iron and calcium, which makes them healthy for pregnant women.
However, excessive beetroot juice intake may also cause problems for women during pregnancy, like lack of energy and dizziness. Further, no dosage recommendations have been established for consuming beets, so one should keep a check on the portions before inducing this veggie into their diet.