After eating beets, your urine can turn pink, red, or even dark brown due to pigments called betalains, a harmless phenomenon known as beeturia, though it can also signal iron deficiency in some cases, so see a doctor if it's persistent or accompanied by pain.
Beeturia will stop once betalain is no longer in the diet. The urine color change may appear in the first few hours after drinking something containing beetroot. It may continue for a day or two after eating the coloring, especially in the stool.
Testing for Beeturia (Beet Pee)
The only test needed to diagnose this condition is a urinalysis, which involves checking your urine under a microscope. However, your doctor might also want to test you for iron deficiency anemia since it's quite common in individuals with this condition.
Yes. Eating a lot of beets (or drinking large amounts of beetroot juice) can cause the skin and urine to turn red or pink -- a condition called beeturia. Key points:
Beetroot contains antioxidants that help improve your immunity and protect against infections during pregnancy. Moreover, pregnant women with high immunity levels reduce the risk of ailments and diseases. So including beetroot in a pregnancy diet is always an ideal choice.
Certain nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, folic acid tablets, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, are particularly beneficial for promoting healthy skin development and fair complexion for the baby during pregnancy.
Eating one beetroot is okay for most individuals. Drink beetroot juice only once or twice a week to prevent any unwanted effects. Talk to your doctor first if you have low blood pressure, kidney stones, or take blood pressure medicine.
The beet test allows you to get a sense of whether you fall into that ideal 12-24 hour range, since you'll be able to see the bright red pigment in your stools. Fiery red poop 24 hours or more later means you've got a “slow transit time,” also known as constipation—a common result of the beet test.
People with a history of kidney stones (due to high oxalate), low blood pressure, or certain digestive issues (like IBS) should limit or avoid beetroot, as it can exacerbate these conditions; also, those with iron overload (hemochromatosis) or gout, and those on blood pressure medication should consult a doctor before consuming large amounts.
On the same note, beetroot helps in whole body detoxification. It's a great purifier and does so by pulling toxins into the colon where they can then be evacuated. Pretty neat, right? The betaine found in beets has also been shown to improve digestion.
Depending on the cause, hematuria can come along with different signs and symptoms, including:
The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout. To avoid this, stick to no more than a single half-cup serving of beets per day.
Occasional beeturia is normal and can last up to 48 hours. "Typically, beeturia is not cause for concern," says Pflugradt. "And just because you eat beets, doesn't mean you'll experience beeturia, as it only affects a small percentage of the population.
The most significant change occurred between three to six hours after consumption. That time window, around the three-hour mark, is when beets appear to reach their full cardiovascular potential. The effect, while temporary, is measurable and consistent, reinforcing the case for regular consumption.
The color is due to the presence of betanin, a red pigment which is chemically different from the anthocyanins, the reddish violet pigments of most plant species. Beeturia is often misinterpreted as hematuria by the unsuspecting. Beeturia has repeatedly been noted in a small percentage of the population.
Is beet juice always bad for kidneys? Actually, it's not. Unless a person is at risk for kidney stones, beets may be key to reducing the risk of renal (kidney) failure during and after a heart x-ray. Coronary angiography is a specialized test allowing doctors to view the heart's blood vessels in action.
For humans, however, consuming an excess amount of oxalate can cause certain people to develop kidney stones. If you are prone to kidney stones, especially calcium oxalate kidney stones, your doctor may recommend you reduce or limit the amount of oxalate-containing foods in your diet, including beets and beet juice.
Beets are high in nitrates which research suggests improve cardiovascular health in several ways. Some studies show beetroot juice supplementation may lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. It increases oxygen uptake, lengthening the time it takes to become fatigued, which allows people to stay active longer.
Beetroot's interaction with medications, particularly those for lowering blood pressure or anticoagulants, may require caution. The natural compounds in beetroot can potentially enhance or interfere with the effects of these medications.
Fiber-rich foods like beets promote regularity and can help prevent constipation, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.
How long it takes for beet juice to lower blood pressure can vary. However, a 2008 study stated that beet juice lowers blood pressure in about 3 hours. Research suggests that drinking beet juice daily for at least 60 days provides the most benefits, helping significantly improve hypertension.
Beetroot has more natural sugar than other vegetables — about 6 to 9 grams per cup. However, its high fiber content slows down sugar absorption, which keeps blood sugar levels balanced. The glycemic index for beets is moderate, which means they are typically OK for people with Type 2 diabetes to eat in moderation.
A small cohort study of patients with RA also demonstrated significant improvements in endothelial function following two weeks of daily beetroot juice consumption [80]. Betalain compounds has also proved beneficial in improving patient-reported outcomes in individuals with knee discomfort [81].
You can buy beets fresh or canned, with both providing the same nutritional value. Canned beets offer a more affordable and shelf-stable option, and also reduce prep time since peeling and cutting beets would no longer be necessary.
Beets are one of the foods rich in iron, an essential component of red blood cells. Without iron, red blood cells would not be able to carry oxygen around the body. Therefore, people with low iron levels can sometimes have iron deficiency anemia.