Though red-tinged pee or poop is never a welcome sight in the toilet, it may not be cause for alarm if you've recently eaten beets. Here's what you need to know about beeturia (and when it's time to call your doctor):
Can Beets Make Your Pee (And Poop) Red or Pink?
Yes, eating beets or drinking beet juice can give your urine and/or your stool a slightly reddish or pink tinge. This phenomenon, called beeturia, is usually not cause for alarm. Some studies show it affects up to 14 percent of the beet-eating population. While occasional beeturia in and of itself is harmless, you should definitely consult a doctor if you're experiencing discoloration every time you ingest the root vegetable. This could be a sign of underlying conditions. If you have discolored pee or poop more than a day or so after eating beets, call your doctor immediately — this could indicate bleeding, and should be examined ASAP.
Betanin, a compound in beets, gives the veggie its vibrant red hue. Some bodies aren't able to completely break down this compound during digestion. This can result in red-tinged urine or stool. Occasional beeturia is normal. However, if it happens often, it may be a sign of iron deficiency or low stomach acid.
Beeturia and Anemia
Anemia, or iron deficiency, occurs when you don't have enough healthy blood cells to carry oxygen to your body's tissues. This condition can affect your ability to absorb certain pigments. While beeturia can affect up to 14 percent of people, the rate is much higher in people who have anemia (up to 80 percent of iron deficient people experience beeturia).
Consult your doctor if you're concerned about iron deficiency. The condition can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. You can also eat iron-rich foods, like spinach and liver, to prevent anemia.
Beeturia and Low Stomach Acid
Beeturia can also indicate low stomach acid. Stomach acid helps your body metabolize vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. When your acid levels are low, your body may not be able to break down betanin as it should.
Other signs and symptoms of low stomach acid include:
Constipation
Heartburn or acid reflux
Gas and/or bloating
Nausea
Cramping
Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have low stomach acid.
Other Causes of Red or Pink Urine or Stool
Even if you suspect your red or pink urine or stool is a result of beeturia, you should consult your doctor if it happens often or continues days after you've eaten beets. Blood in stool or urine can indicate serious health conditions that need immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Health Benefits of Beets
While all this talk of beeturia isn't exactly appetizing, there are plenty of reasons to eat beets. High in fiber, folate, vitamin C, iron, and potassium, the tasty root veggie packs a seriously nutritious punch. Here are just a few things beets may be able to do:
Promote healthy digestion, thanks to high fiber content.
Lower blood pressure and improve exercise capacity, thanks to high levels of nitric oxide.
Promote weight loss or weight management, as beets have few calories compared to their rich nutrient content.
Beet Recipes
Incorporate more beets into your diet with one of these delicious recipes:
Betanin is the beetroot pigment that is absorbed by the body upon eating beets, and as a result, may turn your poop and pee pink or red for up to 48 hours after consumption—a phenomenon called beeturia. It's generally harmless and no cause for concern.
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.
Because the intake of iron, bismuth or foods like beets can give the stool the same appearance as bleeding from the digestive tract, a doctor must test the stool for blood before offering a diagnosis.
Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.
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.
Jennifer Gonzalez, a colon hydrotherapist and owner of Doody Free Girl in Jersey City, New Jersey, says beeturia may "generally last up to 48 hours, depending on transit time and body constitution."
Beets are high in fiber and promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut. Having plenty of healthy bacteria in your digestive system helps fight disease and boost your immune system. Fiber also improves digestion and reduces the risk of constipation.
Beet is linked to the improvement of a variety of conditions, especially for anemia. While there are no official guidelines on recommended daily intake, a cup of beet juice a day is typically harmless. According to a study, daily intake of 8.4 ounces of juice lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
While it may seem like a good idea to have beets daily because of their benefits, you may need to exercise caution when eating them. Eating beets or drinking beet juice may lead to kidney stones, a potential food allergy, or stool or urine color changes.
Anyone who has low blood pressure or is currently taking blood pressure medication should speak with a healthcare professional before adding beets or beetroot juice to their diet. Beets contain high levels of oxalates, which can cause kidney stones in people with a high risk of this condition.
If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
The primary symptom of beeturia is discolored urine or stools. Urine appears red or pink after eating beetroot or foods and juices containing extracts or pigments of beetroot. The extent of discoloration varies from person to person and depends on what you ingested.
Chock-full of antioxidants and nitrates, beetroot has earned its stripes as a potent weapon for heart health, blood pressure, cognition, and inflammation. But when it comes to liver health, this resplendently red root also serves as a natural blood cleanser, purging your body of toxins and heavy metals.
Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.
Cooking beets won't give you the same health benefits because heat destroys betalain pigments and hampers nitrates, but it's still good for your health. To preserve the maximum health benefits, grate raw beets into salads or steam/roast beets just long enough to tenderize them.
Enlarged prostate. Kidney stones. Vigorous exercise such as long-distance running. Certain drugs, such as blood thinners, aspirin and other pain relievers, and antibiotics.
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.
Sometimes, the urine appears to have blood in it because there are other red substances (pigments) in the urine. This can happen if you eat an excessive amount of beets (called beeturia), food dyes, or certain medications (such as phenazopyridine/Pyridium).
Beets and beet juice are high in nitrates, substances that turn into nitric oxide inside your body. Your body naturally produces nitric oxide, which is crucial for blood vessel health. Nitric oxide relaxes and widens your arteries, allowing more blood to flow through and significantly lowering blood pressure.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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