Nov 26, 2024
Can beetroot help detect constipation? Here’s what experts say
Siddhartha JanaAs we age, our digestive systems slow down, increasing the risk of constipation, which can be detected using a simple home test called the Beetroot Test.
Source: Canva
The Beetroot Test involves eating half a cup to one cup of cooked beetroot and measuring the time it takes for the red pigment, betalain, to emerge in stool.
Source: Canva
If the red pigment emerges in the stool 12-24 hours after eating beetroot, it indicates a typical transit time.
Source: Canva
If the pigment emerges in less than 12 hours, it may indicate fast digestion and inefficient nutrition absorption.
Source: Canva
A delay of more than 24 hours may indicate sluggish digestion, insufficient dietary fibre, or dehydration, which can all contribute to constipation.
Source: Canva
Dr. Vikas Jindal explains that the test is a natural and noninvasive way to track intestinal transit time and determine gut health.
Source: Canva
Delayed transit time could indicate digestive problems such as inadequate gut motility or underlying disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Source: Canva
A healthcare professional should evaluate chronic constipation or digestive disorders to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Source: Canva
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