Yes — beetroot can cause or worsen gas (wind). It is a nutritious root vegetable, but its fibre and fermentable carbohydrates reach the colon, where gut bacteria turn them into gas. Among foods linked to gas in Eat Smart Kiwi community data, beetroot ranks #21.[1][2]
Wind after beetroot is largely about fermentation in the large intestine. Fibre and short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs, including oligosaccharides) that are not fully broken down in the small intestine travel to the colon. Bacteria ferment them and produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and sometimes methane — felt as wind.[1][2]
That process is normal — and often healthy — but the gas can mean more pressure and discomfort. A few thin slices is a different fermentable load from a whole beetroot, a large salad, or beetroot juice.[1]
Most of the gas we pass still comes from leftovers that were not absorbed higher up. A fibre-free diet markedly cuts that fermentation gas, so fibre-rich vegetables such as beetroot can raise wind even when they are a healthy choice.[3]
Tolerance varies:
Among foods linked to gas (flatulence) in Eat Smart Kiwi community data, beetroot ranks #21. Beetroot and gas also ranks #80 among all food–symptom pairs tracked in the app.
The link is most often seen within about 8 hours of eating beetroot, based on aggregated diary data from about 300 users. These are real-world logging patterns among people tracking digestive health; they are not a clinical trial and do not prove beetroot caused gas in every case — but they match what many people report after this fibre-rich root vegetable.
Raw vs cooked, fresh vs canned, portion size, and what else was on the plate all change the picture. Logging how you ate beetroot next to gas scores shows whether your pattern matches the community trend — and what serving size you tolerate.
Beetroot often causes wind because its fibre and fermentable carbohydrates are broken down by gut bacteria, producing gas — and it shows up in Eat Smart Kiwi tracking. Smaller servings, cooking, gradual increases, and your own diary are practical ways to keep it on the menu with less discomfort.
Track food and symptoms with Eat Smart Kiwi.
This article provides general information and is not intended as medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant diet changes, especially if you have a diagnosed gastrointestinal condition.