This is a common question for people looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet or juice routine. The short answer is yes, you can safely drink carrot and beetroot juice together. In fact, combining these two vegetables can provide some excellent health benefits. However, there are also some important considerations when mixing beetroot and carrot juice that are good to know.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about drinking carrot and beetroot juice together:
- It is safe to consume carrot and beetroot juice together. There are no negative health effects from combining them.
- Drinking carrot and beetroot juice provides a nutritious blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This can boost immunity, improve digestion, and benefit heart health.
- The earthy, sweet flavor combination is appealing to many people. Adjust the carrot to beet ratio to suit your tastes.
- Both vegetables contain nitrates that can lower blood pressure. Their effects may be enhanced when juices together due to synergistic effects.
- Beetroot juice can potentially cause beeturia (reddish urine) when consumed in large amounts. Carrot juice dilutes the effect.
- It’s best to drink freshly extracted juices right away before nutrients start degrading. The juices can be combined in one glass.
- Add some ginger or lemon juice to cut the earthiness. Avoid high sugar fruits like apples which raise the glycemic load.
Nutritional Benefits
Drinking carrot and beetroot juice together provides a powerhouse of nutrition. Here are some of the main benefits you can expect to gain from this healthy combination of vegetable juices:
- Vitamin C – Beetroots offer a moderate amount of immune-boosting vitamin C. Pairing it with vitamin C rich carrot juice enhances this benefit.
- Vitamin A – Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin A. This is important for eye health and immune function.
- Potassium – Beetroots and carrots both provide high levels of potassium which can help control blood pressure.
- Folate – Carrots and beetroots are sources of folate, a B vitamin that supports red blood cell production.
- Nitrates – Both vegetables contain vasodilating nitrates that can improve circulation and lower blood pressure.
- Antioxidants – The blend contains antioxidants like beta-carotene and betalains which combat cell damage by free radicals.
- Iron – Beetroot juice provides a good amount of iron to oxygenate your cells and prevent anemia.
Overall, juicing carrots and beets provides a nutritious fusion of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection across your body. Pairing them amplifies these benefits.
Lowers Blood Pressure
One of the most researched effects of drinking beetroot juice is its ability to lower blood pressure. Beets contain high levels of dietary nitrates. When consumed, nitrates get converted into nitric oxide which is a compound that dilates blood vessels and improves circulation.
Many studies confirm that drinking beetroot juice can significantly reduce blood pressure in the short term. One study found an average reduction of 4.4 points for systolic blood pressure after drinking just 250ml of beetroot juice. The benefit peaks 3-6 hours after consumption.
Carrots also contain nitrates, although less than beetroots. Still, juicing the two together may provide an enhanced blood pressure lowering effect compared to just beetroot alone. The high potassium levels in both vegetables also promote healthy blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, drinking a daily glass of beetroot and carrot juice could be a safe way to help keep your levels in check. It’s best to avoid adding high sodium ingredients like table salt when making vegetable juices.
Suppresses Appetite
Drinking vegetable juice is commonly said to aid in weight loss. Part of this benefit may come from juice’s ability to curb appetite and make you eat fewer calories.
Fiber is generally removed when making juice, but other compounds like antioxidants remain. Research indicates that certain antioxidants called betalains in beetroot juice can increase levels of appetite-suppressing hormones like leptin and adiponectin.
One study had obese individuals drink 500ml of beetroot juice per day. After 4 weeks, they reported significantly reduced appetite levels compared to the placebo group. The beetroot juice group also showed increased secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1, another hormone involved in appetite regulation.
Carrot juice is not proven to directly affect appetite and weight loss like beetroot juice. Still, its low calorie, highly nutritious profile makes it an excellent addition to a weight management plan. Drinking carrot and beetroot juice makes for a filling, low-calorie beverage.
Improves Digestion
Supporting healthy digestion is another benefit associated with drinking carrot and beetroot juices. Both vegetables contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps feed beneficial gut bacteria which keeps your microbiome balanced and healthy. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools and may help prevent constipation.
Beetroots also seem to directly enhance gastrointestinal function. Research indicates that drinking beetroot juice may help increase gastric secretions needed for proper digestion. Beets also appear to boost antioxidant status in the gut and protect against oxidative damage.
Carrots act as a natural diuretic by stimulating urine output. This effect helps flush excess water, salt, and toxins out of the body. Keeping your digestive system running smoothly promotes regular bowel movements and prevents problems like bloating and indigestion.
Detoxification Support
Consuming fresh beetroot and carrot juice is an easy way to flood your body with antioxidants and nutrients thatsupport detoxification. Both vegetables provide betalains, carotenoids like beta-carotene, and phenolic compounds.
These antioxidant phytonutrients help stimulate Phase II detox enzymes in the liver. Cytochrome P450 family enzymes activated by these antioxidants metabolize and eliminate potentially toxic compounds from your body. Flavonoids in carrots also enhance the activity of detoxifying antioxidants like glutathione.
Beetroots specifically help thin and mobilize bile to improve its flow from the liver and gallbladder. Good bile flow is important for eliminating used hormones, cholesterol, toxins, and waste products. The folate in beetroots may also help lower homocysteine, a compound linked to liver problems when elevated.
By combining beet and carrot juice, you get an infusion of antioxidants that work synergistically to boost your body’s natural detoxification systems. This helps reduce oxidative stress and the risk of toxin buildup over time.
Boosts Immunity
Supporting a healthy immune system is key to preventing seasonal bugs and infections. The vitamin C content of fresh carrot and beetroot juice makes it an excellent choice for boosting immunity.
Vitamin C is arguably the most important water-soluble antioxidant for immune defense. It stimulates white blood cell production, helps form collagen needed for wound repair, and acts as an anti-inflammatory within your body. Just one cup of raw chopped beets provides over 6 mg of vitamin C.
Pairing beetroot with carrot juice significantly raises your vitamin C intake. A cup of carrot juice delivers over 9mg. Consuming the two juices together means you’ll get at least 15mg of vitamin C in one serving. The beta-carotene in carrots also gets converted to active vitamin A to further support immune cell function.
If signs of a cold coming on, drinking a big glass of beet and carrot juice makes a smart natural remedy. The vitamin C and antioxidants will help your immune system fight off the infection faster.
Considerations When Mixing Beetroot and Carrot Juice
While drinking beetroot and carrot juice together has many benefits, there are also some important things to consider:
- Beeturia – Consuming large amounts of beetroots can cause beeturia, which is the appearance of pinkish-red urine. It’s harmless but the discoloration can be alarming if you aren’t expecting it. Combining beetroot with carrot juice helps dilute the effect.
- Sugar content – Carrots have a higher glycemic index than beetroots. Those with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar after drinking this juice combination.
- Oxalates – People prone to kidney stones should moderate their intake of beetroots and carrots since both contain soluble oxalates.
- Natural variations – The exact nutrient composition will vary based on factors like vegetable variety, origin, soil quality, and time of harvest.
- Juice separation – Given their different densities, the carrot and beetroot juices may separate after blending. Shake or stir before drinking.
Additionally, you’ll want to be mindful of how much total juice you drink in a day. Stick within 4-6 ounces per serving and avoid exceeding more than 12 ounces total if you have concerns about managing your calorie intake or blood sugar levels.
Tips for Making Carrot and Beetroot Juice
Here are some tips for making tasty, nutritious carrot and beetroot juice at home:
- Wash all produce thoroughly before juicing.
- For milder flavor, peel beets before juicing. Leaving skins on provides more fiber and nutrients.
- Chop carrots and beets into smaller pieces that will fit through your juicer feed tube.
- Juice carrots and beets in alternate batches to prevent overheating the juicer motor.
- Mix together the separate juices in a glass. Stir or shake before drinking to remix.
- Drink immediately after making for maximum nutrition.
- Store leftover juice in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to 24-48 hours.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to help preserve vitamin C content.
- Flavor boosters include ginger, lemon, mint, parsley, or apple (in moderation).
- Start with a 3:1 ratio of carrots to beets. Adjust ratios to suit your tastes.
- Consume juice in moderation. 4-6 ounces daily is a good target.
Potential Side Effects
When consumed in normal food amounts, beetroot and carrots are very safe vegetables. However, drinking beetroot juice regularly in large quantities may cause some temporary side effects in sensitive individuals. Potential side effects can include:
- Beeturia – Pink/red urine discoloration
- Stomach upset or diarrhea
- Kidney stones in prone individuals
- Low blood pressure – Especially in people on medication for hypertension
- Allergic reactions – Itching, rash, swelling
- Drug interactions – With certain medications broken down by the liver
To avoid problems, introduce beetroot juice gradually and stick to moderate serving sizes. Pay attention to any symptoms you experience. Most side effects resolve quickly once intake is reduced or the juice is discontinued. Allergies are rare but possible with any food item.
The Bottom Line
Enjoying carrot and beetroot juice together makes for a highly nutritious beverage option. Combining the two provides a power-packed nutritional profile full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that deliver many potential health benefits.
Research suggests regularly drinking this juice blend can help lower blood pressure, curb appetite, improve digestion and immunity, and support natural detoxification in the body.
Aim for about 4-6 ounces per serving. Be mindful of sugar content, oxalates levels, and possible beeturia. Introduce beetroot juice gradually if new to juicing. When made properly and consumed in moderation, beetroot and carrot juice is generally very safe to enjoy on a regular basis as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet.
