Red urine after beetroot

Red urine isn't always a warning sign

Does the urine not a normal yellow color so this is a cause for concern for many people. There are various reasons why the color may not take on the usual yellow, but other shades. Most people have a fear of blood in the urine (hematuria) and this is not a good sign. If your urine is red to dark brown in color, you should think carefully about what you have eaten during the day. Consuming beetroot in larger quantities causes your urine to appear red. But this also applies to other foods that contain a certain color. If you have not eaten any food with this color, there is a risk that you may have blood in your urine after all. In such a case, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for an examination. Red urine is a warning sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones or even bladder cancer, among other things.

Eating beetroot

• Beetroot has a very intense color and it comes from the well-known pigment betanin. In detail, this is the sugar molecule glycosine, which is linked to an organic residue via the alcohol group. The strong red color doesn't just affect yours tonguebut also on the color of your urine. Eating beetroot in large quantities will inevitably cause your urine to discolour and no longer be yellow.
• The glycosine found in foods is very small and goes straight into your blood from your intestines. The glycosine from the beetroot is then squeezed out through your kidneys and ends up in your urine. The betanin with its typical color expression is ultimately excreted exactly as it was ingested by you.
• Due to the extreme red color, the natural color becomes increasingly reddish. If you consume larger amounts, not only your urine but also your intestinal excretions can turn reddish over a shorter period of time. This fact is perfectly harmless and you have nothing to worry about. Unless you're planning to eat beetroot or other foods containing betanin the next day, your urine should be normal in color.