What Are the Dangers of Beet Juice?

Undesirable side effects of beetroot juice include temporary vocal cord paralysis, liver toxicity, diarrhea, vomiting, red stool or urine and increased tendency for kidney or gall stones. Beetroot juice is considered a super food with plenty of benefits, but consuming too much may cause these side effects.

There are ways to consume beet juice and limit the risk of side effects. Combining beetroot juice with carrot or celery juice can reduce the chances of vocal cord paralysis, for example. Because beetroot juice is considered a powerful cleanser, consuming large amounts of it may dump toxins into the liver that the liver can’t adequately process. People with known conditions of the liver or kidneys may want to drink beetroot juice in very small amounts.

The vomiting and diarrhea effects are caused by beetroot juice’s concentrated efficacy and strong impact on the gut. It is considered a cure for constipation, but those with a tendency toward loose bowels or with irritable bowel syndrome may find the condition exacerbated by beetroot juice.

High oxalate content in beetroot juice increases the body’s tendency to crystallize minerals, thus increasing the chances for kidney or gall stones. Because of its deep, natural red coloring, beetroot juice has the tendency to turn stools and urine red. This may appear alarming, but is not dangerous.