ABC juice is genuinely good for most people. But "natural" does not mean "risk-free for everyone", and beetroot in particular is a more medically active vegetable than its reputation suggests. Here is an honest look at what can go wrong, who should be careful, and what is actually harmless despite looking alarming.
Quick answer: For most healthy adults, one 200–250 ml glass of ABC juice a day causes no side effects. The most common issues are harmless pink or red urine and stool (beeturia), blood-sugar spikes because juicing removes fibre, stomach upset or bloating from too much raw beetroot, and lower blood pressure from beetroot's nitrates. The people who should be genuinely careful are those with a history of kidney stones (beetroot is high in oxalates), diabetes, already-low blood pressure or BP medication, and anyone drinking large quantities daily, where excess vitamin A from carrots can tint the skin orange.
Does ABC juice have side effects at all?
For a healthy adult drinking a normal serving, usually not. The side effects below cluster into two groups: things that look scary but are harmless, and things that matter if you have an existing condition. Most of the alarm online belongs to the first group.
It is also worth being clear about the direction of risk. Almost every reported problem with ABC juice comes from beetroot, occasionally from carrot in very large amounts, and from the act of juicing itself (removing fibre). The apple is not the issue.
The 7 side effects of ABC juice, ranked by how much they matter
| Side effect | Cause | How serious |
|---|---|---|
| Pink/red urine or stool | Beetroot betalain pigments | Harmless |
| Blood sugar spike | Fibre removed by juicing | Matters if diabetic |
| Bloating, gas, loose stools | Too much raw beetroot at once | Mild, self-limiting |
| Dizziness, low BP | Beetroot nitrates widen blood vessels | Matters on BP medication |
| Kidney stone risk | Beetroot is high in oxalates | Matters with stone history |
| Orange-tinted skin | Excess beta-carotene from carrots | Cosmetic, reversible |
| Unwanted weight gain | Drinking it on top of meals | Depends on your diet |
1. Pink or red urine (beeturia) — harmless
Roughly 10–15% of people cannot fully break down betalain, the pigment that makes beetroot red. It passes through and colours urine or stool pink to deep red. It typically appears within a few hours and clears within a day or two.
This is the single most common reason people panic after starting ABC juice. It is not blood and it is not damage. That said, if the colour continues after you stop drinking beetroot, or comes with pain while urinating, see a doctor — that is a different problem wearing the same costume.
2. Blood sugar spikes — the one most people underestimate
This is the most legitimate everyday concern. When you juice and strain, you remove the fibre that normally slows sugar absorption. A 250 ml glass of ABC juice concentrates the sugar of an apple, a beetroot and two carrots into something you drink in two minutes.
If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or PCOS-related insulin resistance:
- Blend rather than juice and keep the pulp — the fibre blunts the curve significantly.
- Cut the apple to half, or drop it and add lemon for taste.
- Never drink it on a completely empty stomach. Pair it with nuts, curd or a protein-containing breakfast.
- Keep the portion to 150–200 ml, not a large glass.
3. Bloating, gas and loose stools
Raw beetroot is high in FODMAPs and fibre. People who go from zero beetroot to a full one daily often get gas, cramping or looser stools in the first week. This is an adjustment issue, not damage.
The fix is simply to start with half a small beetroot and build up over two weeks. If it still bothers you after that, beetroot may just not agree with your gut — carrot and apple with ginger still makes a perfectly good juice.
4. Dizziness and dropping blood pressure
Beetroot's dietary nitrates convert to nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. That is the mechanism behind its studied blood-pressure benefits — and also the reason it can go too far.
If you already have low blood pressure, or you take antihypertensive medication, the effects can stack and leave you lightheaded, especially when standing up quickly. This does not mean you cannot drink ABC juice; it means you should talk to your doctor before making it a daily habit and start with a small beetroot portion.
5. Kidney stones — the one genuine hard limit
Beetroot is one of the highest-oxalate vegetables commonly eaten. In people prone to calcium-oxalate kidney stones — by far the most common stone type — a regular high-oxalate load can contribute to stone formation.
If you have ever had a kidney stone, or have been told you are at risk, treat daily beetroot juice as something to clear with your doctor rather than assume is healthy. Practical risk reducers if you do drink it: drink plenty of water through the day, have it alongside a calcium source like curd or milk (calcium binds oxalate in the gut so less is absorbed), and keep it occasional rather than daily.
6. Orange-tinted skin (carotenemia)
Drink very large amounts of carrot juice consistently and beta-carotene can deposit in the skin, giving palms, soles and sometimes the face a yellow-orange tint. It is harmless and fades within weeks of cutting back, but it is a clear signal you are overdoing the quantity.
This essentially never happens at one glass a day. It shows up in people drinking a litre of carrot-heavy juice daily.
7. Weight gain instead of weight loss
ABC juice is often taken up as a weight-loss drink, and then added to an unchanged diet. A 250 ml glass carries real calories and sugar. Drunk in addition to breakfast rather than instead of part of it, it simply adds to your daily intake.
If weight is the goal, it has to replace something — and blending it with the pulp intact will keep you fuller than a strained juice will.
Who should avoid or limit ABC juice
- History of calcium-oxalate kidney stones — limit or avoid beetroot; ask your doctor.
- Diabetes or insulin resistance — blend, don't strain; smaller portion; not on an empty stomach.
- On blood-pressure medication, or naturally low BP — nitrate effects can stack.
- Chronic kidney disease — beetroot and carrot are both high in potassium.
- Pregnancy — generally fine in moderation, but use well-washed produce and pasteurised or freshly made juice only; raw juice carries a small contamination risk.
- Young children — dilute it, keep portions small, and prioritise whole fruit and vegetables over juice.
- Anyone on blood thinners — carrots contribute vitamin K1; keep intake consistent rather than sporadic and mention it to your doctor.
How do you reduce the side effects of ABC juice?
- Fix the ratio. Beetroot should be no more than about a quarter of the total volume — 1 apple : 1 small beetroot : 2 carrots. Most side effects trace back to too much beetroot.
- Blend instead of straining. Keeping the pulp keeps the fibre, which softens both the blood-sugar spike and the fullness problem. Our full ABC juice guide covers the juice-versus-blend trade-off in detail.
- Start small. Half a beetroot for the first week, then build. This removes almost all of the bloating complaints.
- Don't drink it on a truly empty stomach if you're sugar-sensitive. Timing matters — see when to drink ABC juice.
- Cap it at one glass a day. More is not better; see how much ABC juice per day is safe.
- Drink it fresh. Juice left sitting for hours at room temperature is a bacterial risk, not just a nutrient loss. Make single servings.
- Hydrate. Plenty of plain water through the day genuinely lowers oxalate-related stone risk.
Making a smaller, fresher serving
Most of the fixes above come down to the same thing: smaller portions, made fresh, with the pulp kept in. That is much easier with a single-serve device than with a big jug juicer you only want to clean once a day.
A 300–450 ml rechargeable bottle blender makes exactly one portion, keeps the fibre, and rinses out in seconds — which matters with a staining ingredient like beetroot. The NEWDRU 6-Blade Portable Fruit Juicer handles raw beetroot and carrot better than a four-blade unit, and the NEWDRU HS-889 Self-Cleaning Portable Juicer clears beetroot stains in a 20-second water cycle. Both are in the portable juicers collection.
Key takeaways
- One 200–250 ml glass a day is fine for most healthy adults.
- Pink or red urine is beeturia — harmless pigment, not blood.
- The real risks concentrate in kidney stones, diabetes and low blood pressure.
- Almost every side effect traces back to too much beetroot.
- Blending with the pulp beats straining for blood sugar and fullness.
- Orange skin means you are drinking far too much carrot — cut back.
- Drink it fresh; never let juice sit out for hours.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my urine pink after drinking ABC juice?
This is beeturia — betalain pigments from beetroot passing through undigested. It affects roughly 10–15% of people, appears within a few hours, and clears in a day or two. It is harmless and not blood. If pink urine continues after you stop drinking beetroot, or comes with pain, see a doctor.
Can ABC juice cause kidney stones?
Beetroot is high in oxalates, and a regular high-oxalate load can contribute to calcium-oxalate kidney stones in people who are prone to them. If you have ever had a kidney stone, check with your doctor before drinking ABC juice daily. Drinking plenty of water and having the juice alongside a calcium source such as curd both reduce the risk.
Is ABC juice safe for diabetics?
With modifications. Juicing removes fibre, so the sugar hits the bloodstream faster than eating the same produce whole. Diabetics should blend rather than strain, halve or skip the apple, keep portions to 150–200 ml, avoid drinking it on a completely empty stomach, and monitor their own glucose response. Speak to your doctor or dietitian first.
Can ABC juice lower blood pressure too much?
It can contribute. Beetroot's nitrates convert to nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure — a benefit for many people, but a problem if your blood pressure is already low or you take antihypertensive medication. Dizziness on standing is the usual warning sign. Talk to your doctor before making it a daily habit.
Can I drink ABC juice during pregnancy?
In moderation it is generally considered fine, and the folate in beetroot is useful in pregnancy. The main cautions are practical: use thoroughly washed produce, drink it freshly made rather than stored, avoid unpasteurised commercial juice, and keep portions modest. Always confirm with your obstetrician, as individual circumstances differ.
What happens if I drink ABC juice every day?
For most healthy adults, one glass daily is a good habit with no adverse effects. Problems appear at higher volumes: excess carrot can tint the skin orange, excess beetroot raises oxalate load, and daily strained juice adds meaningful sugar. Keeping it to one 200–250 ml glass, blended with the pulp, avoids nearly all of this.
Make it fresh, one glass at a time
Rechargeable portable juicers and blender bottles sized for a single serving — 6-blade and self-cleaning options for beetroot.
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This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, especially if you have diabetes, kidney disease, low blood pressure, or take prescription medication.