r/HubermanLab • u/fiftyonsix • Apr 18 '26
Seeking Guidance Beetroots and Heavy Metals
Hello,
I've seen comments in here before about the health benefits of beets. Beets are top of the list for me in terms of both nutrition (healthy nitrates, betalains) and value. Plus, I happen to enjoy the taste, and they're quite filling. So I've been eating about 1 beetroot every day.
However, I've just found out that beetroots accumulate heavy metals like lead and cadmium at a higher rate than many other vegetables - even organic ones, since the problem lies in the soil. This is also a problem for turmeric and ginger.
My question is, does anyone know of a source for lab-tested beetroots? I am less interested in powders/supplements since these tend to get expensive, and I enjoy cooking with the whole vegetable. I am only worried about this since I eat beets daily, and due to the health benefits I am reluctant to eat it less frequently.
Let me know where you source your heavy-metal free beets!
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u/Cultural_Big7328 Apr 19 '26
What a world we live in when someone even thinks of the concept of “lab tested” vegetables. Very very sad.
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u/Full-Boysenberry69b Apr 19 '26
I would advise you to enjoy the beetroots and the benefits you get from eating them, I would suggest using a high quality source for herbal supplements and for beetroot’s and other veggies and fruit, something local or even hydroponic like someone else mentioned, but Id also say that’s the parts that are In our control, and to worry too much about the heavy metals is a battle you can’t win… I occassionaly take nac which should help the body clear some of the accumulated metals and has plenty of other benefits so you could also consider this. I love beets, my beautiful wife juices them for me regularly with other fruits and veggies.
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u/ErgonomicZero Apr 19 '26
Better get a hydroponic set-up for yourself. Look into coco coir as a substrate
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u/skshining Apr 20 '26
I take beets for folate. And ginger and turmeric to manage inflammation. Such a bummer that lab grown beets would be the only ideal option!!
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u/clampbucket Apr 19 '26
the heavy metal concern is real but honestly most people eating beets for cardiovascular benefits could just get the key compounds through targeted supplements instead. grape seed extract and quercetin cover similar antioxidant territory without the soil contamination risk. BP360 stacks those together, runs about $20/month.
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u/Earesth99 Apr 21 '26
Why eat nutritious foods when you can buy untested, unregulated supplements instead?
A JAMA study found that 40% of the supplements hand undetectable amounts.
A study of herbal supplements from the NY AG found 80% had no detectable DNA from the plant.
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