Can Beets Improve IVF Outcomes?

Aug 8

The Scoop on “Fertility Foods” for IVF

I often get asked about what foods can help during IVF—whether you’re preparing for egg retrieval, a frozen embryo transfer (FET), or supporting early pregnancy. Recently, a few clients have specifically asked about beets, so let’s look at what the research says.

What the Research Shows

Beets (aka “beetroot”) were included in two randomized trials from the same research group—one in 2019 and one in 2023—among female patients undergoing IVF with ICSI. Both studies looked at daily consumption of a homemade juice made from beetroot, watermelon, and ginger, starting on the day of embryo transfer and continuing until the pregnancy test.

In both studies, participants who drank the juice had higher implantation and clinical pregnancy rates compared to those who did not. In the 2023 peer-reviewed study, implantation rates were 25.2% vs 20.5% and clinical pregnancy rates were 41.0% vs 22.0% for the juice group compared to the control group. Both studies had similar designs and outcomes, though the 2023 study included a larger sample size (436 vs 296 participants).

While these results are intriguing, more research is needed before we can be sure the juice itself is responsible for the improved outcomes.

Why Beets, Watermelon, and Ginger?

The study authors suggest the potential benefit may come from properties that support vascular health:

Beets contain natural nitrates
Watermelon is rich in L-citrulline

Both compounds are involved in the body’s nitric oxide pathway, which supports healthy blood flow and can help relax the uterus—conditions that may favor embryo implantation.

Ginger adds anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant properties, meaning it can help relax and widen blood vessels.

Putting It Into Practice

If you enjoy beet, watermelon, and ginger juice, you might consider adding it after your embryo transfer. Unfortunately, neither study specified exact amounts of each ingredient—or even the total volume of juice—and juicing can be a bit of a hassle with all the pulp and cleanup.

If juice isn’t your thing—or it’s not realistic to have daily—you can still include these foods in other ways:

Grain bowl with roasted beets
Watermelon and feta salad
Fresh ginger tea

And remember: Don’t stress if you don’t like or tolerate these foods or can’t fit them into your eating routine. These studies are just one small piece of the puzzle.

Plenty of clients I’ve worked with have not eaten beets (or this beet juice concoction) post-transfer and have had successful IVF outcomes!

The Bigger Picture: Dietary Patterns and IVF Success

I like to focus on the overall diet (and eating enough to support the reproductive system) rather than any individual food. Multiple observational studies suggest that an overall healthy dietary pattern may support IVF success. These diets generally emphasize: