Beet poisoning is rare, but it can occur if someone consumes large amounts of beets or beet juice that contains high levels of nitrate. Here are some common symptoms of beet poisoning:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Blue or purple discoloration of the skin (in severe cases)
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms after consuming beets or beet juice, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Beet poisoning can lead to serious health complications, particularly in infants and people with certain medical conditions.
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#1. Diagnosing Beet Poisoning
Here are some key points to consider when diagnosing beet poisoning, formatted with headings in bold font:
Symptoms of Beet Poisoning
The first step in diagnosing beet poisoning is to identify the symptoms. As mentioned earlier, symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and blue or purple discoloration of the skin in severe cases. These symptoms may appear within a few hours of consuming beets or beet juice.
Medical History and Physical Examination
After identifying the symptoms of beet poisoning, the doctor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination. They will ask about the patient’s recent dietary intake, including any consumption of beets or beet juice. They will also ask about any medical conditions or medications that may affect the body’s ability to process nitrates.
During the physical examination, the doctor will check for signs of dehydration, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure, all of which can occur in severe cases of beet poisoning.
Blood and Urine Tests
To confirm a diagnosis of beet poisoning, the doctor may order blood and urine tests to check for the presence of nitrates and nitrites in the body. These tests can also help identify any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to the development of beet poisoning.
Imaging Tests
In severe cases of beet poisoning, the doctor may order imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan to check for signs of respiratory distress or pulmonary edema, which can occur when high levels of nitrates or nitrites are present in the body.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of beet poisoning, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Beet poisoning can lead to serious health complications, but early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further damage to the body.
#2. To Whom Beetroot Is Not Appropriate?
Individuals Prone to Hypotension
Those who struggle with low blood pressure should avoid eating beetroot because of the high nitrate content of this vegetable. The nitric oxide it generates helps blood vessels loosen up. This causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure.
Those who suffer from Kidney Stones
Beetroot’s high oxalate content makes it a poor choice for those who suffer from kidney stones. People who develop kidney stones are another vulnerable group that may suffer adverse effects.
Individuals Affected by Diabetes
Beet juice’s glycemic load is significantly increased by the digestion of its fibre content. This is potentially disastrous for people with diabetes. Beetroot should either be avoided entirely or consumed in very small quantities.
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#3. Risk Factors for Beetroot Poisoning
Urine that appears red or pink for the first time can be shocking. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that beet poisoning is not harmful.
The betanin in beets is responsible for the vegetable’s characteristic red color. Some individuals have difficulty breaking down this pigment.
The kidneys remove betanin from the body after it has been absorbed from beets during digestion. The urine becomes discolored as a result. Even though beeturia itself is not harmful, it may be a warning sign of something more serious going on with your body.
Low Iron Levels
Iron deficiency can manifest as beetroot poisoning. If your blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells, oxygen can’t get to all the places it needs to. This is what happens with iron deficiency.
Decreased Stomach Acid
People with low stomach acid levels can also develop beeturia. Absorption of nutrients from food depends on having enough stomach acid.
The red pigment in beetroot may be difficult for the body to metabolize if stomach acid levels are low. This leads to beetroot poisoning.
#4. Side Effects Of Eating Raw Beets
Beets are safe for most people when taken as part of a healthy diet. However, there is some concern about possible toxicity if beets are taken in large amounts.
#5. 10 Side Effects Of Drinking Beetroot Juice In Excess
Beetroot juice is known for its many health benefits, including its ability to lower blood pressure, improve athletic performance, and boost immune function. However, drinking beetroot juice in excess can have some adverse effects on your health. Here are 10 potential side effects of drinking beetroot juice in excess:
1. Stomach Upset Drinking too much beetroot juice can lead to stomach upset, including bloating, gas, and diarrhea. This is because beets are high in fiber, which can be difficult for some people to digest in large quantities.
2. Kidney Stones Beetroot juice contains high levels of oxalates, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones in some people. If you have a history of kidney stones, you should limit your intake of beetroot juice.
3. Increased Risk of Gout Beetroot juice is high in purines, which can increase the risk of gout in some people. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling.
4. Increased Risk of Iron Overload Beetroot juice is high in iron, which can be problematic for people with a genetic predisposition to iron overload. Iron overload can lead to liver damage, joint pain, and other health problems.
5. Increased Risk of Hypoglycemia Drinking too much beetroot juice can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, which can lead to symptoms of hypoglycemia, including weakness, dizziness, and confusion.
6. Interference with Certain Medications Beetroot juice can interact with some medications, including blood thinners and medications used to treat high blood pressure. If you are taking medication, you should speak with your doctor before consuming beetroot juice.
7. Increased Risk of Allergic Reactions Beetroot juice can cause allergic reactions in some people, particularly those who are allergic to beets or other vegetables in the same family, such as carrots and celery.
8. Discoloration of Urine and Stool Drinking large amounts of beetroot juice can cause your urine and stool to turn pink or red. This is harmless and will typically resolve on its own.
9. Increased Risk of Cancer Although beetroot juice is often touted as a cancer-fighting superfood, drinking too much of it may actually increase the risk of certain types of cancer. This is because beets contain high levels of nitrate, which can be converted to nitrosamines in the body, which are known to be carcinogenic.
10th IMPORTANT! May Cause Problems During Pregnancy
Beets contain high amounts of nitrates. Women who are pregnant should avoid eating them. Nitrates can cause problems when pregnant women eat them.
ALERT! Beets are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Can You Get Food Poisoning From Beetroot?
Neither the clinical nor the beetroot samples tested positive for any of the most common foodborne pathogens or toxins, but all of the beetroot samples were of low quality as measured by total bacterial counts. Despite its detection in multiple beetroot samples, the impact of beta-haemolytic Pseudomonas fluorescens on human health remains unknown.
Briefly Summarizing
Although beet poisoning sounds serious, it is actually quite harmless. If you consume beets and your urine becomes discolored, you should see a doctor. Or if you are unable to determine whether or not the reddish hue is actually blood.
If the beeturia is accompanied by any other symptoms, especially ones that worry you, you should definitely talk to your doctor.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1661476/
https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19932336888
https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20083266658
Medically reviewed and edited by:
Adila Zakir (USA Federal Drug Authority Certified)
