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Peeing pink?

Peeing pink?

I have Beeturia.

Yes, it is a real thing. Haven’t heard of it? Neither did I, until I ate a beet salad for dinner a few years ago. A couple of hours later, my pee was bright red!

At first, I was alarmed, thinking there was blood in my urine. But after some quick research, I realized I was probably one of the 10-14 percent of the population who has Beeturia.

“Beeturia is the passing of red or pink urine after eating beets or food with beetroot extracts,” says Dr. Tony T. Tran, an Advocate Medical Group urologist. “The red color seen is caused by the presence of anthocyanin pigments in beetroot that does not get properly digested and needs to be excreted in excess amounts. The discoloration can vary from person to person.”

I recently learned that Beeturia is more common in people with low iron, which I also have. So that may help explain this strange phenomenon. But luckily, Beeturia is usually harmless.

“While it can be quite psychologically distressing to see pink, red or purple urine, the truth is that beeturia is one of the least harmful causes for a strange color to appear in your urine,” says Dr. Tran. “If you didn’t consume beets and your urine color is red, that should never be ignored.”

Dr. Tran added that Hematuria (blood in urine) can be a sign of a serious disorder and to seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have.

As for me, I know beets are healthy—full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber—but I plan to keep them out of my diet for now.

Angela Hacke is the manager of public affairs for Advocate Charitable Foundation.

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Comments

One Comment

  1. identifying the cause is one thing, cutting them out of your diet is another! the positive things from beets is very useful, and even being sold as a powder on late night tv. I think you noticed the pink because you don’t eat enough beets. if you have them more often, the color decreases, and they also add needed fiber to your meals, I have at least 2 times a month, try fresh or canned, as a side vegetable with butter or balsamic vinegar. scrub the fresh ones with a vegetable brush, microwave and/or roast them whole, skins slip off easily after cooking. my squirrels and birds eat the skins. (reduce, recycle, reuse) Carol

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About the Author

Angela Hacke
Angela Hacke

Angela Hacke is the manager of public affairs for Advocate Charitable Foundation. She has more than 17 years of experience in communications, and has been with Advocate for the last 12 years. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, exercising and reading.