Beetroot is a plant in the Amaranthaceae family of plants. This family includes quinoa and spinach. It is also referred to as beet or sugar beet.

The World Health Organization recognises 2 airway allergens associated with beetroot. Beta v 1 is an Ole e 1 like protein, which means it is similar in structure to the main allergenic protein in olive bushes.

Beta v 2 is a profilin protein which affects the airways. Profilin proteins are panallergens, which means they are in many foods and pollens and have the potential to cause allergic reactions in seemingly unrelated foods.

Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) is also found in the leaves of beetroot. These proteins are resistant to heat and are found in many types of plants. Patients suffering from a more severe allergy to cooked fruit may be sensitised to this group of proteins.

Chitinase is an enzyme found in the leaves of beetroot. This is linked to latex allergy.

When pickled, beetroot is moderate in sulphites. This is a food intolerance which is more common in asthmatics. An improvement in symptoms can be made with a change to a low sulphite diet.

Beetroot is a high FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Fresh beetroot is low in Salicylates, canned beetroot may contain a moderate amount of salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause gastrointestinal food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

An allergy to beetroot is very loosely associated with Latex Food Syndrome as it can contain chitinase.

Other plants which contain Ole e 1 like proteins include olive, pigweed, crocus, ash, privet, grasses, plantain, mesquite and lilac.

Other plants containing profilin inhalant allergens are ragweed, wormwood, birch, sunflower, mugwort, plantain, poplar and oak. Profilins are also found as food allergens in kiwi, celery, peanut, chilli, watermelon, orange, hazelnut, melon, carrot, strawberry, soya, walnut, lychee, lupin, apple, cherry, almond, peach, pear, mustard, tomato and aubergine.

Common foods involved in LTP allergy include kiwi, strawberries, sunflower seeds, walnut, apple, mulberry, banana, pea, apricot, cherry, plum, almond, peach pomegranate, raspberry, tomato, grape, celery, peanut, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, chestnut, lemon, tangerine, orange, hazelnut, lettuce, lentils, lupin, green bean, pear, mustard, wheat and maize.

Other foods which contain chitinase include kiwi, chestnut, mango, banana, avocado, pomegranate, corn (maize) and date. Additional studies show chitinase has been identified in tamarind, cashew nuts and coffee.

Let me know if you found any of these interesting or useful. If you spot an article or research that you think is interesting you can message me or tag me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - links at the bottom of the page.