Do you ever pay attention to the colour of your urine? This is something you should definitely start doing as it can say a lot about your health.
But before you start analysing your urine, make sure you know what’s normal and what’s not.
The normal color of the urine ranges from a pale yellow color to deep amber. This colour derives from urochrome, a pigment produced during protein metabolism.
The colour of your urine changes based on the amount of pigments but also other compounds that may leak into your urine from the foods you eat. For example, the beets, fava beans, and berries can also change the color of your urine.
If you take any medication, this may also affect your urine’s colour. So, you may get tones such as lemon yellow, raspberry red, or even greenish-blue.
Pay attention to an unusual color of your urine as this may be an indication of some kind of disease. For example, red or deep brown urine is a signal of porphyria, which is a very rare disorder of the red blood cells.
What does different urine colour signify?
1. Transparent
If your urine is transparent or water-like, it is a sign that you are drinking too much water. There are very rare cases involved with drinking too much water, but transparent urine shows that you are drinking more water than you normally need.
2. Amber honey or pale straw colour
Light shades of yellow show that you are well hydrated but may need water soon. As the color of urine darkens it shows that you need to rehydrate.
3. Orange or deep yellow
If your urine is deep orange or dark-colored and you are having pale stools then it’s probably time to see the doctor. This is not normal and you should seek medical advice.
If you are also experiencing yellow skin and eyes, in addition to the unusual colour of your urine, this is a sign that your liver is not functioning properly.
4. Pink or reddish colour
Reddish or pink urine could be a result of some kind of highly pigmented food you ate, but it could also mean a serious issue if there is blood. Blood in the urine may be due to kidney disease or kidney stones or even various cancers. Take this very seriously and see your doctor as soon as possible.
5. Green or blue colour
This might be surprising for you but some people may have blue or green urine. There are different reasons why this may happen – it could be because of medications or food dyes or in the worst-case scenario this could be due to a urinary tract infection. Green urine could also be caused by a rare inherited disorder called Familial benign hypercalcemia.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urine-color/symptoms-causes/syc-20367333