Beet Juice Side Effects
There are many beet juice side effects, including some negative ones. If you mix beet juice with other freshly pressed vegetables juices, the negative side effects are minimized, while you still reap the nutritious benefits of beet juice.
Beet Juice Side Effects
Beets are the root portion of a vegetable. The bulbous root is eaten, but the leaves of beets may also be eaten raw, steamed, or juiced. Beets come in a wide range of colors which include purple and golden-orange, but the most common color for beets is a rich burgundy hue known as "beet red."
Drinking beet juice is a common recommendation for people with cancer, people seeking a cleansing and alkaline diet, and for those who enjoy a raw, vegan diet. Benefits of drinking beet juice include its cancer-fighting abilities as well as superb nutrition and antioxidants. Beet juice is rich in folate, potassium, manganese, iron, vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. It's also low calorie and fiber rich, making it a great food for people trying to lose weight.
Positive Side Effects
People don't normally associate the word "positive" with "side effects," but there are positive side effects to drinking beet juice.
- Beet juice can temporarily lower blood pressure. As quoted in the Tuscaloosa News, a study in the medical journal Hypertension in 2008 demonstrated that drinking two cups of beet juice a day lowered blood pressure by 10 points. This surprised researchers because the beet juice actually lowered blood pressure better than some prescription medications! The effects also lasted for about 24 hours, making it a great natural method to try, if you have borderline hypertension. Of course, be sure to talk to your doctor about what you want to try to treat your hypertension naturally to be sure it won't interact negatively with medications your are currently taking. Beet juice is also rich in a compound called nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes blood vessels. This compound also has anti-inflammatory properties and discourages blood clot formation. That's good news all around for people with heart disease!
- Cancer-fighting benefits of beets include a compound called betacyanin. According to Alternative Cancer Care, this compound improves cell respiration and also stops or slows the growth of cancer cells. Combined with the many other beneficial elements in other vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, celery and others, these compounds act as a natural cancer-fighting "cocktail." Remember, many alternative cancer treatments have not been conclusively proven through conventional research, but they do offer an intriguing glimpse into what the average person should consume to remain healthy.
Negative Side Effects
Like all good things, there's a negative or an unpleasant series of side effects that may result from drinking beet juice. The negative side effects include:
- Beeturia: If you're drinking a lot of beet juice, your urine or stools may take on a peculiar, reddish color. This is called beeturia. It's a side effect of drinking lots of beet juice. It is harmless, but it can scare you, if you don't know it's from drinking beet juice.
- Kidney stones: For those who have had kidney stones or who know they currently have a kidney stone, you should avoid drinking beet juice. The high oxalate content may increase the likelihood or severity of kidney stones. Avoid drinking beet juice until you get the all clear from your doctor.
- Problems with the vocal cords: This is a rare side effect, but a feeling of tightness in the throat or trouble speaking can be a side effect of drinking too much beet juice. Most sources state that drinking beet juice in conjunction with other fresh vegetable juices in a vegetable juice cocktail seems to prevent this unusual and infrequent side effect.
- Fever, chills and rashes: This is another odd side effect also infrequently reported. If you think you're suffering these effects from drinking beet juice, stop drinking it. If the problem persists, see a doctor. Rashes may indicate an allergy. Sometimes detoxification and cleansing creates temporary symptoms such as a low fever or chills. This is one possible explanation of why beet juice may create this side effect. If it improves cellular respiration as conventional science states, one possible theory is that the cells are better capable of releasing stored waste, and if many cells release waste at once, it can cause slight flu-like symptoms. Of course, you could really have the flu, or possibly another illness, so if the symptoms persist after stopping the beet juice, see your physician.
Beet Juice Offers Many Benefits
Ounce for ounce, beet juice is a healthy drink. Combined with other fresh vegetable juices, it's a tonic packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Beets are inexpensive, easy to juice, and taste good. So experience the many benefits of beets, minimize beet juice side effects, and enjoy!
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