What colour should your pee be?

Since the earliest of days in medicine, human urine has been a very useful tool in the diagnosis of various diseases. Of course, changes in the colour of urine will occur from time to time due to artificial food colourings or if you’re under some medication. However, consistent abnormality in its colour – or even blood in it – may indicate a serious health risk. So if you’re wondering what colour your pee should be, read on!

If your urine is of a pale, straw colour, breathe easy; it’s as normal as it can get.

When your urine is too clear, it can mean that you’re drinking too much water. Take care not to over-hydrate yourself. Excessively clear urine can also mean a liver disorder, such as acute viral hepatitis or cirrhosis but which would be accompanied by other signs and symptoms like a yellowing, jaundiced complexion, nausea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue.

When your urine is bright or neon yellow, it indicates Vitamin supplements that are being taken in excess or not being absorbed by your body. Take whole food-based vitamin supplements for better absorption.

Gold or dark yellow urine indicates dehydration. Aim to drink half your body weight (pounds) in ounces per day – i.e. if you weigh 130 pounds (58 Kgs), aim to drink about 65 ounces (2 litres) of water.

When your urine is pink or red, it is usually indicative of blood in the urine from a kidney or bladder infection, or you’ve been eating too many pink or red foods like beets or berries or artificially-coloured foods.

If your urine is orange, it usually indicates dehydration or is a side effect of certain medications. It could also be that you’ve eaten too many orange, red or artificially-coloured foods.

If your urine is ever blue or green, it usually is a side effect of certain medications. It could also be that you’ve eaten too many green or artificially-coloured foods.

When your urine is dark brown or tea coloured, it can indicate a liver disorder, especially if accompanied by pale stools and a yellow, jaundiced complexion. Certain medications might also cause this.

When your urine is cloudy or murky, it can indicate a urinary tract infection usually accompanied by low back or lower abdominal pain, and fever. It could also mean you’ve been eating too much asparagus.

Besides its colour, also keep in mind your need to pee should not be urgent. Nor, in your 20s and 30s, should it leak out of you when you laugh or wake you up in the middle of the night (unless you’re pregnant or you drank a big glass of water right before bed).