Is Beets Inflammatory?
Beets has an inflammation score of 2/10, making it anti-inflammatory. This food actively helps reduce inflammation in your body.
Why Is Beets Anti-Inflammatory?
Beets are rich in betalains (the pigment that gives them their deep red color) and nitrates, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties and support cardiovascular health.
Key Anti-Inflammatory Properties
- Betalains have strong anti-inflammatory effects
- Nitrates support blood flow and exercise performance
- Good source of folate and manganese
- Support liver detoxification
- May lower blood pressure
Things to Watch Out For
- High in natural sugars compared to other vegetables
- Can cause harmless red urine (beeturia)
- Oxalate content — caution for kidney stones
Free · iOS & Android
Got another food in mind? Scan it
Free AI scanner. Get an inflammation score in 2 seconds.
Key Nutrients in Beets
Beets contains several notable nutrients that influence its inflammatory profile:
Serving Recommendation
Recommended Serving Size
1 cup (136g) cooked
Tips
Roast for the best flavor. Raw beet juice is popular for athletic performance. Don't throw away beet greens — they're highly nutritious. Golden beets have similar benefits with less staining.
You Might Also Wonder
Explore the inflammatory profiles of other common foods:
Want to Check Another Food?
Use our AI-powered food scanner to instantly find the inflammation score of any food. Just type or scan and get your answer in seconds.
Try Our AI Food ScannerScan a food in 2 seconds. Know if it's healing or hurting you.
Point your camera at any meal, ingredient, or label. Get an instant inflammation score, the science behind it, and better alternatives. All free.
About Beets and Inflammation
Understanding how beets affects inflammation is important for anyone following an anti-inflammatory diet. With an inflammation score of 2 out of 10, beets is classified as anti-inflammatory in the Flammy food database.
Including beets as part of a balanced anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce chronic inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and certain cancers. The anti-inflammatory compounds in beets work by reducing inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The inflammation score is based on a comprehensive analysis of the food's nutritional profile, including its fatty acid composition, glycemic impact, antioxidant content, and the presence of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory compounds. Scores range from 1 (most anti-inflammatory) to 10 (most inflammatory).