Beet

Beet/Drug Interactions:

  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: Although studies evaluating the effects of beet fiber on glucose metabolism have yielded inconsistent results, some clinical studies have shown that beet fiber supplementation may reduce postprandial glucose and insulin levels and impact other parameters of glucose metabolism in some patients (10; 7; 13; 14).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: Although studies evaluating the effects of beet fiber on lipid levels have yielded inconsistent results, some clinical studies have shown that beet fiber supplementation may increase cholesterol excretion; lower total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides; and increase HDL levels in some patients (9; 10; 7; 11; 12; 13; 15).
  • Oral drugsOral drugs: In one clinical study, the addition of sugar beet fiber to the diet was shown to significantly decrease transit time (34). Contrarily, increased secretion of motilin (gastrointestinal hormone) was observed after meals in a subset of obese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes who were taking a beet fiber supplement, suggesting that increased beet fiber in the diet may increase transit time (7). Increased or decreased transit time may potentially impact the absorption and bioavailability of some orally ingested herbs.

    • Beet/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Although studies evaluating the effects of beet fiber on lipid levels have yielded inconsistent results, some clinical studies have shown that beet fiber supplementation may increase cholesterol excretion; lower total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides; and increase HDL levels in some patients (9; 10; 7; 11; 12; 13; 15).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Although studies evaluating the effects of beet fiber on glucose metabolism have yielded inconsistent results, some clinical studies have shown that beet fiber supplementation may reduce postprandial glucose and insulin levels and impact other parameters of glucose metabolism in some patients (10; 7; 13; 14).
  • Mineral supplementsMineral supplements: Studies evaluating the effects of vegetables or their fiber supplements on zinc, iron, and copper status in human subjects indicate that ingestion of beets in its pure vegetable form or as a fiber supplement does not effect the absorption or bioavailability of dietary minerals (35; 36).
  • Oral herbsOral herbs: In one clinical study, the addition of sugar beet fiber to the diet was shown to significantly decrease transit time (34). Contrarily, increased secretion of motilin (gastrointestinal hormone) was observed after meals in a subset of obese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes who were taking a beet fiber supplement, suggesting that increased beet fiber in the diet may increase transit time (7). Increased or decreased transit time may potentially impact the absorption and bioavailability of some orally ingested herbs.
  • ProbioticsProbiotics: Arabino-oligosaccharides are derivatives of beet pectin that have demonstrated the ability to stimulate growth of colonic bacteria in vitro, including Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and to decrease growth of Clostridium, suggesting their potential value as prebiotics in the human gut (16).

    • Beet/Food Interactions:

  • Cholesterol absorption/excretionCholesterol absorption/excretion: In patients with ileostomies, a significant increase in cholesterol excretion by the small intestine was observed during a period of supplementation with beet fiber (12).
  • Dietary mineralsDietary minerals: Studies evaluating the effects of vegetables or their fiber supplements on zinc, iron, and copper status in human subjects indicate that ingestion of beets in its pure vegetable form or as a fiber supplement does not effect the absorption or bioavailability of dietary minerals (35; 36).
  • StarchesStarches: A clinical study evaluating the effects of sugar beet and pea fibers on the absorption of wheat bread showed that both supplements increased the fraction of unabsorbed starch, affected the amount of starch absorbed by the small intestine, and increased meal transit time (37). The authors concluded that beet and pea fiber altered wheat starch absorption and increased the amount of starch available for colonic fermentation.

    • Beet/Lab Interactions:

  • Lipid panelLipid panel: Although studies evaluating the effects of beet fiber on lipid levels have yielded inconsistent results, some clinical studies have shown that beet fiber supplementation may increase cholesterol excretion; lower total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides; and increase HDL levels in some patients (9; 10; 7; 11; 12; 15; 13).
  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: Although studies evaluating the effects of beet fiber on glucose metabolism have yielded inconsistent results, some studies have shown that beet fiber supplementation may reduce postprandial glucose and insulin levels and impact other parameters of glucose metabolism in some patients (10; 7; 13; 14).