Are Pickled Beets Good for You?

Pickled beets are a convenient alternative to fresh beets.

They’re rich in nutrients and offer many of the same health benefits as their fresh counterparts but have a much longer shelf life.

However, pickled beets can also be high in salt and sugar, so you may wonder whether they’re truly good for you.

This article discusses the pros and cons of eating pickled beets.

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Rich in nutrients

Beets are a root vegetable that’s often pickled.

Though pickling causes a small loss of nutrients, pickled beets remain a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Just 3.5 ounces (100 grams) provide (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source):

• Calories: 65
• Protein: less than 1 gram
• Fat: less than 1 gram
• Carbs: 16 grams
• Sugar: 11 grams
• Fiber: less than 1 gram
• Copper: 13% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Manganese: 10% of the DV
• Folate: 7% of the DV
• Riboflavin: 4% of the DV
• Magnesium: 4% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 3% of the DV
• Pantothenic acid: 3% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 3% of the DV
• Choline: 3% of the DV

They’re especially rich in natural sugars, copper, folate, and manganese. These nutrients help boost your energy levels, make DNA, regulate your immune system, and build and repair tissues and bones (3, 4, 5).

Packed with beneficial compounds

Beets are likewise a rich source of flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants, which protect your body against disease by fighting unstable molecules called free radicals (6, 7, 8Trusted Source).

In fact, beetroot is considered one of the 10 plants with the highest antioxidant activity. They’re especially rich in betalains and betanins, two polyphenols that give this veggie its deep red color (6).

However, the pickling process reduces antioxidant levels by 25–70%. Thus, pickled beets contain lower antioxidant levels than those of other forms of beets (6, 9Trusted Source).

Beets are also a rich source of nitrates and saponins (8Trusted Source, 6).

While nitrates help lower blood pressure and enhance athletic performance, saponins may boost immune and heart health (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

Pickled beets made via fermentation or the addition of raw, unpasteurized vinegar also contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria linked to improved immune function, as well as better heart and digestive health (14).

These types of pickled beets are difficult to find in most grocery stores, so you can either make your own or look for them at farmers markets.

SUMMARY

Beets are particularly rich in natural sugars, copper, folate, and manganese — nutrients that are needed for numerous bodily processes. They also boast antioxidants.

May offer certain health benefits

Pickled beets are linked to certain health benefits.

May boost heart health

Pickled beets are naturally rich in nitrates, which your body converts into nitric oxide. This molecule helps blood vessels dilate, which protects against high blood pressure (8Trusted Source).

Research suggests that beet products can lower blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg. However, this effect likely only lasts a few hours, so you need to eat nitrate rich-foods regularly to prolong this effect (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

Nitrates may also preserve endothelial function. The endothelium is a thin membrane lining the inside of your blood vessels that helps regulate blood clotting and immune function (8Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

May improve digestion

In pickled beets made through natural fermentation, the healthy bacteria on beets’ skin break down their sugars over several days.

Fermented pickled beets are rich in healthy bacteria called probiotics, which improve your digestion by making it easier for your body to break down foods and absorb their nutrients (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

Probiotics may also protect against toxins and harmful bacteria, as well as reduce gas, constipation, and bloating. What’s more, they may relieve symptoms of gut disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease (19Trusted Source).

May improve physical performance

The nitrates in pickled beets may improve athletic ability by boosting your muscles’ power and performance (11Trusted Source).

Some studies suggest that beetroot juice increases performance on timed endurance or high intensity exercise by around 3% (11Trusted Source).

However, these effects appear strongest in untrained individuals and are typically observed with beetroot juice, not pickled beets. It’s unclear how many pickled beets you’d have to eat to see the same effects.

May regulate your blood sugar levels

Pickled beets may lower your blood sugar levels.

Most varieties of pickled beets are made with vinegar, which studies suggest may reduce blood sugar and insulin levels after a meal (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).

Experts believe that beets’ nitrates and antioxidants also keep blood sugar levels in check (8Trusted Source).

In one study, concentrated beetroot juice caused a lower spike in blood sugar and insulin levels than a similar sugary beverage. Nonetheless, other studies failed to find the same result (8Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

What’s more, none of these studies examined the direct effect of pickled beets on blood sugar and insulin levels. Therefore, more research is needed.

SUMMARY

Pickled beets may improve digestion, physical performance, and heart health, as well as lower blood sugar and insulin levels.

Possible downsides

Depending on how they’re made, some varieties of pickled beets may pack salt and added sugars (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

Research links excess sugar and salt intake to poor health and an increased risk of illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it’s best to read labels carefully and pick varieties with little or no added sugar or salt, whenever possible (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

Beets are also rich in oxalates — compounds that may reduce nutrient absorption and promote kidney stones. Therefore, people predisposed to kidney stones may want to limit their intake (8Trusted Source).

Though pickled beets may turn your urine pink or red, this side effect is harmless (8Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Some varieties of pickled beets may harbor large amounts of added sugars or salts, so it’s best to check ingredient lists. These types are best avoided.

The bottom line

Pickled beets are popular on salads or as a side or snack.

These naturally sweet root veggies may have a number of health benefits, including improved digestion, physical performance, blood sugar levels, and heart health.

However, you should avoid varieties with high levels of added salt or sugar. To reap the greatest benefits, choose those made via natural fermentation or with raw, unpasteurized vinegar.