Beets are a rich source of iron and they can reduce high blood pressure. Because of this people with high blood pressure often consume more beets.
However, too much consumption of beets can cause trouble, especially kidney stones. But how can beets cause kidney stones? Beets cause kidney stones because of their high oxalate density.
In this article, we will discover the relationship between beets and kidney troubles and how to get rid of them.
How Does Beets Cause Kidney Stones?
Beets are a good source of oxalate. Per serving of beets contain more than 50 grams of oxalate (1). Studies have shown that dietary oxalate can increase the risk of the formation of CaOx types of kidney stones (2).
Moreover, beets are moderately high in total carbs. A standard-sized beet(82 grams) contains 7.84 grams of total carbs (3).
These moderate-high carbs of beets can increase the risk of kidney stone formation by promoting kidney disease. A 10-year study of non-diabetic mice has shown that higher dietary carbs can significantly increase the chances of chronic kidney disease (4).
Can Beets Cause Kidney Damage?
Beets can cause kidney damage because it is high in oxalate. As oxalate is the major contributor to kidney stones, oxalate-rich beets can do kidney damage.
Moreover, beets are moderately high in carbs, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. All of these nutrients have a negative effect on kidney health.
Studies have shown that a high intake of carbs increases the risk of chronic kidney disease in mice. Moreover, another study has shown that dietary potassium can negatively affect mildly impaired kidney function patients (5).
Furthermore, phosphorus-rich beets may increase serum phosphorus. According to studies, high serum phosphorus is related to a high mortality rate in patients with chronic kidney disease (6).
On the other hand, iron chelators may lead to kidney failure (7). Also, iron overload can be toxic and may promote multiple kidney diseases.
As beets are a well-known source of dietary iron, they can cause trouble for your kidneys by iron overload.
Considering, all of these facts we can say that beets can damage your kidneys.
Are Beets Good For Kidneys?
No beets are not good for kidneys, especially for kidney patients. If you are a kidney patient it is a wise idea to avoid oxalate-rich beets to prevent further kidney damage.
Moreover, beets are a good source of other nutrients that negatively affect kidney health. These are carbs, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.
Too much consumption of beets can increase the intake of all of these nutrients and oxalate. These can easily cause kidney damage, kidney stones, or even kidney failure for worse cases.
Can Beets Cause Kidney Pain?
The high oxalate of beets causes kidney stones. As pain is a common symptom of kidney stones, beets can cause kidney pain during this kidney stone formation time and after the creation of stones also.
Moreover, the high carb, iron, potassium nutrients of beets cause kidney damage in case of excess consumption. People face kidney pain during surplus beet consumption due to this.
Is Beet Juice Hard on Kidneys?
Juicing of beets does not affect their nutrient value. That’s why beet juice can be hard on kidneys like raw beets. In fact, people consume more nutrients during juice because of high saturation.
A beet juice prepared properly contains only less fiber than raw beets. It’s because fibers are filtered during juicing. As fiber does not affect kidney function beet juice has the same effect on kidney health as raw beets.
Can Beet Powder Cause Kidney Stones?
Beet powder is a moderate high source of oxalates. That’s why beet powder may not cause kidney stones in case of little consumption.
However, excessive consumption of beet powder can increase the intake of oxalate and which may promote kidney stones.
How To Get Rid of Kidney Stones?
Avoiding oxalate-rich foods like beets, tea, spinach, rhubarb, and nuts is the first priority for preventing kidney stones. But do nuts cause kidney stones?
Yes, nuts are also high in oxalates and they can promote kidney stones in case of high intake. Also, nut flour like almond flour should be avoided if you are a kidney stone patient.
It’s because almond flour can cause kidney stones because of its high oxalate value and saturate fat content. Studies have shown that a high intake of dietary saturated fat can decline eGFR and have a greater risk of albuminuria (8).
Also, people should avoid foods that are extremely high in calcium to fight kidney stones and diseases. As excess calcium may accelerate the calcification of vascular and soft tissue (9).
An increased rate of vascular calcification is able to decline the GFR(glomerular filtration rate) in chronic kidney disease patients.
Some other tips to follow are:
- Drinking adequate water
- Reducing the intake of sodium-rich foods
- Avoid high protein foods
- Controlling intake of high iron foods and supplements
- Maintaining phosphorus, carbs, and potassium intake
Final Thoughts
Beets are a well-known food for controlling high blood pressure. The high iron component of beets aid in blood pressure control.
However, beets are also one of the major contributors to kidney stones and kidney diseases. The high iron component of beets along with the oxalate can promote kidney stones in healthy adults.
Moreover, the high carbs, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients of beets can also damage healthy kidney functions. That’s why it’s a better idea to avoid beets if you are suffering from kidney problems.
