Urine Color and Your Health: What Each Shade Tells You

When it comes to the normal colour of urine, everyone's urine colour can be different, but it should fall within the yellow range. Normal urine colour can usually range from very pale yellow to honey-yellow. This colour is mainly due to the pigment urochrome, also known as urobilin, present in urine.

The colour of your urine can fluctuate throughout the day. The first urination after waking up in the morning is often the darkest and most concentrated. It tends to get lighter as we start drinking fluids during the day.

The colour of urine also varies. If your urine has no colour or is colourless, it could be because you are drinking too much water or taking a diuretic medication, which helps flush out fluids from your body.

Urine that is too dark, honey-like or brown may be a sign of dehydration, so you need to drink more fluids immediately. If your urine color goes outside the yellow range, such as white or brown urine, you should see a doctor.

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Urine is your body's liquid waste, consisting mainly of water, salt and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Urine is made when your kidneys filter toxins and other bad things from your blood. Things like the medicines you take, foods and illnesses can affect the color of your urine. As we mentioned above, the color of your urine is mainly determined by how much water you drink. When you drink too much water, your urine can be so light that it is almost clear. The less water you drink, the darker your urine will become.

The foods you eat can also be a factor in urine color changes. The color of all-natural foods (such as berries and beets) can react with the pigment to form a different color. More processed foods may also contain higher amounts of added color (food dye). This dye also reacts with the pigment. If you do not properly hydrate your body after exercise, it can also cause dehydration and dark urine. Excessive exercise without proper hydration can lead to a serious condition that can lead to muscle breakdown.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications can also change the color of your urine. This includes antibiotics, laxatives, and some chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer. Changes in the color of your urine can be a sign of problems with your kidney, liver, or bladder function. If your urine becomes cloudy or has a strong odor, you may have a bladder or kidney infection. Some people suggest that bright yellow urine can be an early sign of pregnancy. However, there are no studies available to support these claims. Some changes in color may be a sign of an underlying disease. It can be a warning of liver problems, so see your doctor if the urine color does not return to normal after a day.

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Urine color can indicate the health of the body. Generally, a light yellow colour indicates adequate water availability in the body, while a dark yellow or amber colour may mean that the body is dehydrated. Red or pink colour may indicate the presence of blood in the urine, which may be a symptom of infection, kidney stones or other serious problems. Orange colour may indicate a liver or gallbladder problem, while green or blue colour may be due to some medicines or infection. If the colour of the urine remains abnormal for a long time, it is important to consult a doctor.