Beetroot powder is packed with nutrients, and vitamins essential for the body.  It is high in nitrates allowing it to be beneficial in exercise performance, as well as brain health.  Beetroot powder has antioxidants and fiber that help with digestion.  Beetroot powder is high in nutrients while staying low in calories.  The antioxidants found in beetroot can also help with chronic inflammation brought on by other conditions.  Side effects are always a concern when dealing with a supplement, you will want to weigh the side effects with the overall benefits you are getting from the beetroot powder.  

One of the first side effects you may notice after drinking a beetroot powder is a change in your urine or stool color.  Beetroot can cause beeturia, which is a pink or red color to your urine.  It can do the same to your stool as well.  This side effect is not harmful.  It may catch you by surprise the first time you notice it. 

Allergic reactions can also be a side effect.  Make sure you are not allergic to beetroot before taking a beetroot powder supplement.  If you start showing signs of nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, or difficulty breathing.  Do not continue to take beetroot powder if allergic.

Beetroot powder is shown to help lower blood pressure.  This is a good thing for people who suffer from high blood pressure.  This could be harmful to someone who already has a low blood pressure, lowering it more could be dangerous. 

Consuming beetroot powder in high levels can cause your body to have excess nitrates.  Too high levels of nitrates can cause abdominal cramping, or stomach problems such as bloating, gas, and discomfort.  

Someone who has Wilson’s disease, or hemochromatosis should be mindful of how much beetroot they are consuming.  Having a high intake can cause trouble with these conditions.  The body will accumulate too much iron or copper.  Wilson’s disease stops the body from getting rid of excess copper.  Hemochromatosis is a disease caused by an overload of iron.  

When pregnant you should consult with your doctor before having too much beetroot powder.  It is a great source of nutrients and vitamins. There are some aspects that can be harmful to both mother and fetus.  The betaine found in beetroot has shown to have adverse effects on pregnancy.  As well as the high levels of nitrates can cause nitrite toxicity to both mother and baby.  Signs of nitrite toxicity are rapid, weak heartbeat, decreased body temperature, muscular tremors, weakness, and ataxia.  

Beetroot can cause gout.  This is due to the high levels of oxalate found in beets.  This causes a build up of uric acid.  Gout can cause extreme joint pain, high fever, and shiny red joints.  

Beetroot powder can cause low calcium levels in your body.  This can be harmful to women who have low calcium levels already, or have weak bones, or another calcium deficient disease.  

Another side effect is the increased chance of kidney stones.  This is due to the high content of oxalate found in beets.  Oxalate is one of the main kidney stones you can produce.  So with the high level of oxalate from beets it can cause your body to produce a kidney stone.  Since it also increases the urinary oxalate excretion it puts you at a higher risk of calcium oxalate stones as well.  

Beetroot powder is versatile, allowing you to add it to juice, smoothies, water, soups or other foods.  It gives you more nutrient dense benefits than the plant version.  Where you need to be careful of is excess use.  Take the beetroot powder as recommended.  If you start showing signs or negative side effects, talk with a healthcare provider to see if you should cut back on your supplement.  Overdoing in supplements is usually more harmful than taking as recommended.  


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