{"id":159,"date":"2022-07-25T16:25:50","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T16:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yvonnebishopweston.co.uk\/?p=159"},"modified":"2022-08-25T14:07:24","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T14:07:24","slug":"is-your-urine-a-normal-colour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yvonnebishopweston.co.uk\/is-your-urine-a-normal-colour\/","title":{"rendered":"Is your urine a normal colour?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally published on the Good to Know <\/a>website: Yvonne Guest features<\/h4>\n\n\n\n


Your urine colour can tell you a lot, but is your usual colour normal? Here’s everything you need to know…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever wondered if your urine colour is normal? \u201cJust like we should use the daily health-check opportunity of looking at our bowel movements<\/a>(opens in new tab), our urine can also give us insight into our health,\u201d says clinical nutritional therapist Yvonne Bishop-Weston, who works with Vitabiotics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you see blood in your urine you should check in with your GP straight away,\u201d says Yvonne. \u201cBut also look out for other changes, such as urine which is foamy, dark coloured, cloudy, milky white, smelly or just different to usual.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s not all. \u201cIncreased frequency of needing to go for a pee, struggling to go despite drinking enough, or pain, are all symptoms which should be checked out,\u201d says Yvonne. \u201cBut small daily changes can also bring messages about our health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking down into the toilet bowl every time you visit the loo can sometimes set off a lot of worry, but odd colours are more normal than you think!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does urine colour mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just a quick glance at your urine colour could alert you to a health concern. \u201cUrine is a great marker for health and wellbeing,\u201d says Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics UK<\/a>(opens in new tab). \u201cIt looks predominantly at your hydration, but can also reveal whether there are any medical conditions, such as diabetes, an infection, kidney disease or even cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The normal colour for wee should be a medium to light, straw-like yellow colour, which means you\u2019re well hydrated. A slightly darker yellow shows you\u2019re healthy, but could probably do with drinking a bit more water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUrine usually has a very mild smell but, if this gets stronger, it could be a sign of a kidney problem, diabetes or a urinary tract infection, but usually it\u2019s due to not drinking enough water,\u201d adds Yvonne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA number of things can change the colour of our urine, including some foods. Beetroot tends to turn it light pink and if you have a large portion of carrots it can be more orange. Colourings in foods, some vitamins and medications can also change the colour of urine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it good if your urine is clear?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not really. If you are fit and healthy, then your urine colour will probably be pale yellow, but not completely clear. \u201cThe kidneys, which produce urine, are the body\u2019s filtration unit,” says Stuart. \u201cWhen the body is generally healthy urine is pale yellow to gold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you urine has no colour at all, it could be a sign you are drinking too much water. This means you are flushing out the vital vitamins and minerals before your body has had a chance to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking more alcohol than usual? This could be a reason why you are going to the toilet more regularly and your urine is clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it forces water out of the body and makes it more difficult to rehydrate afterwards,\u201d says Dr Rosh, aesthetics practitioner and medical director of Cheshire aesthetics and wellness clinic, KLNIK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt does this by telling the kidneys to make more urine than normal. So, you urinate more. If you are unable to replace these fluids, then this will lead to dehydration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is my urine dark yellow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your urine colour is similar to honey, you\u2019re probably not drinking enough water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarker than usual urine can indicate dehydration, so take the reminder to drink more,\u201d says Yvonne. \u201cMany of us get through the day and then realise that other than a coffee or tea we have barely drunk any water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may have other symptoms, too. \u201cNot drinking enough can hinder concentration, lead to constipation, increase the chances of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and even reduce energy levels,\u201d says Yvonne. In fact, many women experience headaches from dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news? It can be reversed quickly. \u201cDrink<\/a> more water<\/a> and you should notice a change the next time you pee,\u201d adds Dr Perry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hate the taste of plain water? You\u2019re not alone \u2013 23% of Brits say it tastes \u201cfunny\u201d, found a survey by Britvic and Robinsons<\/a>). \u201cUse a filter,\u201d says Yvonne. \u201cThis not only removes heavy metals, which may have negative health repercussions, but also makes it taste better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yvonne also suggests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n