Are Beets High In Estrogen? The Truth About Beets and Hormones

You’ve probably seen the headline: “Avoid beets if you have estrogen dominance!” Or maybe a friend told you beets are packed with plant estrogens that mess with your cycle. These warnings spread fast online, and they sound plausible — after all, beets are deeply colored, nutrient-dense, and sometimes linked to hormone health. But are beets high in estrogen? That question deserves a real answer, not another echo chamber post.

Let’s clear things up. I’ll walk through what the science actually says about beets and estrogen, explain why this rumor won’t die, and give you practical steps if you’re worried about your hormone balance. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what beets do — and don’t do — to your estrogen levels.

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For those who want a more targeted approach to managing estrogen, a supplement like Force Factor DIM works through a completely different mechanism than beets. DIM (diindolylmethane) actively helps decrease estrogen in both men and women by inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. It’s not a food — it’s a concentrated compound with clinical dosing at 300mg, plus BioPerine for absorption. We’ll get into how that compares to beets later, but first, let’s tackle the core myth.

No, Beets Are NOT High in Estrogen

Let’s be direct: beets do not contain estrogen. That’s a human hormone, produced in your ovaries, testes, and fat tissue. Plants don’t make it. What they do make are phytoestrogens — plant compounds that can weakly mimic estrogen in the body.

So the real question becomes: are beets high in phytoestrogens? Compared to foods like soy, flaxseeds, or even hops, beets are incredibly low. The total phytoestrogen content in beetroot is around 12–15 micrograms per 100 grams. A single serving of soybeans delivers over 100,000 micrograms. You’d need to eat several pounds of beets to get a phytoestrogen dose that might have any measurable effect, and even then, the effect would be negligible.

Why does the rumor persist? Probably because people confuse estrogen (the hormone) with estrogen metabolism (how your body breaks it down). Beets are rich in betalains, folate, and nitrates — compounds that support liver detoxification. Your liver processes used hormones (including estrogen) and sends them out via bile. A healthy liver helps keep estrogen levels in check. So beets support the clearance of estrogen, not an increase in it.

The Real Connection: Beets Support Estrogen Detoxification

Here’s where the confusion gets compounded. Some sources claim beets “raise estrogen” because they help your body eliminate it faster. That logic is backward. Think of it like a sink draining — if you unclog the drain, water (estrogen) doesn’t pile up; it falls. Beets support phase I and phase II liver pathways, specifically glucuronidation and sulfation, which tag used hormones for removal.

A 2026 study in the Journal of Functional Foods found that beetroot extract increased activity of several detox enzymes in rat livers. Human studies are thinner, but the mechanism is well understood: betaine and folate in beets donate methyl groups, which helps the liver process estrogen into safer metabolites (like 2-hydroxyestrone) rather than the more inflammatory 16-hydroxyestrone. That’s a good thing for hormone balance.

So if you’re dealing with estrogen dominance (think heavy periods, fibroids, or PMS), adding beets is more likely to help than hurt — provided your digestion is working well. The one caveat: beets are high in oxalates, which can be an issue for kidney stone formers. But that’s a separate concern from estrogen.

What Actually Raises or Lowers Estrogen?

If beets aren’t a problem, what is? Let’s quickly map the territory so you can separate real risks from internet myths.

Notice where beets sit: neutral to slightly helpful. They are not in the “raise estrogen” column. If you’re looking at the table and wondering about DIM, that’s the concentrated compound from cruciferous vegetables. A supplement like Force Factor DIM gives you a standardized dose (300mg per serving) plus BioPerine for absorption. It’s a good option if you want predictable, measurable effects on estrogen without eating pounds of broccoli every day.

Common Questions People Ask About Beets and Estrogen

Can eating beets increase my estrogen levels?

No. Beets don’t contain human estrogen, and their phytoestrogen content is too low to have any meaningful effect. If anything, regular beet consumption supports liver function that helps clear excess estrogen. I’ve seen women with PCOS add beets to their diet and report improved cycle regularity, not worsening of estrogen symptoms.

Do beets contain phytoestrogens?

Yes, but at very low levels. The main phytoestrogens in beets are lignans and isoflavones, present at about 12–15 mcg per 100g. For comparison, flaxseeds have 380,000 mcg per 100g. You’d have to eat beetroots by the bucket to get a phytoestrogen dose that matters. The more relevant story is beets’ detox support, not their phytoestrogen load.

Is beetroot good for hormonal balance?

It can be, indirectly. Beets provide folate, betaine, and nitrates that support methylation and blood flow. Both are relevant for hormone production and clearance. Many nutritionists recommend beets as part of a liver-supportive diet for women with estrogen dominance. Just don’t expect it to be a standalone fix — it works best alongside other whole foods and healthy habits.

Are beets safe for people with estrogen-sensitive conditions (like breast cancer)?

Generally, yes. The American Institute for Cancer Research includes beets on its list of vegetables that may reduce cancer risk. There’s no evidence that beets stimulate estrogen-sensitive cancer growth. Always check with your oncologist before making big diet changes, but beets are not a concern from an estrogen standpoint.

How do beets compare to DIM supplements for estrogen management?

Apples and oranges. Beets are a whole food that broadly supports liver detox. DIM (like Force Factor DIM) is a concentrated compound that directly influences estrogen metabolism — it inhibits aromatase, the enzyme that turns testosterone into estrogen, and pushes conversion toward safer 2-hydroxyestrone. If you need a targeted, measurable reduction in estrogen, DIM is the better tool. If you want a nutrient-dense vegetable that gently supports your liver, beets are excellent.

What To Actually Do: Actionable Takeaways

• Beets are not high in estrogen. The fear is based on a misunderstanding of phytoestrogens and liver detox. Eat them without worry.
• Use beets to support estrogen clearance, not raise it. Their betalains and folate benefit liver pathways that eliminate used hormones.
• If you want to actively lower estrogen, consider DIM. A product like Force Factor DIM gives you a clinically dosed 300mg of DIM with BioPerine for absorption. It works for both men and women.
• Pair beets with cruciferous vegetables for synergy. Eating beets alongside broccoli or kale amplifies the detox support without adding estrogenic load.
• Watch out for oxalates if you have kidney stones. Beets are high in oxalates; if you’re prone to calcium oxalate stones, limit intake or pair with calcium-rich foods.
• Don’t ignore the bigger picture. Hormone balance depends on sleep, stress, gut health, and overall diet. No single food or supplement is a magic bullet.
• For beet lovers: try juicing or roasting. If you’re new to beets, check out beet juicer recommendations for efficient prep. The nitrates in beet juice also support healthy blood pressure — beet juice for blood pressure is well researched and worth exploring.