WHAT THE COLOUR OF YOUR URINE TELLS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Urine isn’t something most people talk about. We barely give it more than a passing glance as it swirls out of sight down the toilet bowl. Yet changes in the urine – its colour, odour, and consistency – can provide important clues about the state of your health.

Here’s what the different colours could mean:

Clear

This is mostly nothing to worry about – but in rare cases, sports fans drink so much water their bodies can’t get rid of it. Mike Laniado, a urology expert at Windsor Urology, Berkshire, says:“Rarely, this causes the urine and blood to become very diluted, the sodium levels in the blood drop and the brain swells, sometimes leading to seizures and death.” This is rare – but if you’re worried you’re swilling down too much water, restrict yourself to drinking when you actually feel thirsty, rather than downing extra to improve performance.

5 Health Warnings From Your Urine Colour

Bright yellow

Many people become alarmed when they see their urine turn bright yellow – but this is usually caused by vitamin supplements, and the body rapidly getting rid of nutrients it can’t absorb. Don’t worry, in other words.

Red tinges

It takes a very small amount of blood to make urine look pinkish – and this can be caused by high-impact sports having an effect on the bladder. But it could be a sign of a more serious illness such as kidney stones, or even cancer. Laniado says: “It is probably harmless, but red urine should still be investigated by a urologist.”

Cloudy

Cloudy urine could be something as innocuous as recently having had s ex (if you’re a man) or crystals caused by eating foods such as cheese. It’s most likely to be the sign of a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. These usually aren’t serious – but it’s worth seeing your doctor.

Bright orange

This is often caused by dehydration – and people’s urine tends to be most orange in the morning, when the kidneys have been working overnight without urinating. It could also be a sign you eat too many salty foods – which cause the body to ‘hang on’ to water. Try drinking more water, and eating less salt. If it persists, consult you doctor – it could be a sign of something more serious, such as jaundice.