The Incredible Health Benefits of Beets

Health Risks From Consuming Beets

Beets are so potent when it comes to helping the body. However, people who consume beets, beet juice, or beet greens also need to be made aware that there are some health risks to consider when adding more of this vegetable to a normal diet. First and foremost, beets are not necessarily the best idea for people who are susceptible to kidney stones. They are high in oxalates, which build up in the body in the form of small crystals.These crystals are a key factor in forming kidney stones. Unfortunately, the fiber in beets does not necessarily help to combat this factor.These oxalates can also be problematic for people who are susceptible to arthritis might want to beware that gout can form from consuming too many beets. The oxalates contribute to uric acid forming in the body, which can cause gout to form in joints. One of the more alarming facets of consuming beets is what it does to your stool. People who eat a lot of beets will find that their stool color changes due to the natural colors found in beets. While this factor is great for creating food coloring, it is not so great for stool. It should not be confused with blood, but it can be misleading. The same goes for urine color, too. Specifically, 10 to 15 percent of people who consume beets regularly will find that their urine can turn a red color. This symptom is more likely to occur in people who have iron deficiencies or an excess of iron in the blood. When these few concerns are put aside, it seems that beets are really a great source of many things for the body. It should be consumed with some nod towards these risks, but they should not be the reason to stop people from eating beets alone.