Smoothy Slim
Photo by cottonbro studio Pexels Logo Photo: cottonbro studio

Can beetroot affect your bladder?

Ingestion of beets can result in a bright red discolouration of the urine, and quite a scare for the urinator who may confuse it with blood! Blood in the urine is a frightening prospect and a possible sign of serious disease while the presence of betacyanins is benign and possibly even healthy.

What does putting toothpaste on an egg do?
What does putting toothpaste on an egg do?

The fluoridated toothpaste protected the eggshell from the acid in the vinegar, while the vinegar leached the calcium from the control egg and...

Read More »
Can you eat salad on juice cleanse?
Can you eat salad on juice cleanse?

keep it clean. you may eat vegetable broth, carrots, celery, a small raw salad, an apple or a half an avocado. raw nuts are also okay…just a small...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

After eating beets. The colour of beetroot is due to a family of compounds known collectively as betacyanins. Ingestion of beets can result in a bright red discolouration of the urine, and quite a scare for the urinator who may confuse it with blood! Blood in the urine is a frightening prospect and a possible sign of serious disease while the presence of betacyanins is benign and possibly even healthy. Not everyone produces red urine after eating beets which has led many researchers to believe that production is genetically determined. Experiments have, however, cast doubt on this explanation. When subjects are given a fixed amount of beetroot to eat, and their urine is chemically analyzed, they all show the presence of betacyanins, but in some cases in amounts too small to impart a visual effect. When the dose is increased, subjects who were visually “nonexcretors” begin to produce red urine. Furthermore, when subjects ingest the same amount of beetroot on separate occasions, they produce urine of varying shades of red. Factors other than genetics are obviously involved. Times of planting and harvesting greatly influence betacyanin content so that beets purchased at different times may have different effects. Betacyanin colour also is dependent on acidity, being more stable under reduced acid conditions. At the normal pH of the stomach, about 2, rapid decomposition of beet pigment occurs. If the acidity is reduced, such as by taking drugs for excess stomach acid, the chance of excreting red urine is increased. In one reported case, a gentleman who had never previously experienced the red urine phenomenon, suddenly displayed red urine after a course of ranitidine, a drug used to reduce stomach acidity. The presence of iron in the form of ferric ions in the stomach and intestines can also prevent the beetroot colurants from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Since iron can be complexed by oxalic acid or by ascorbic acid (vitamin C), these compounds which are widely distributed in foods can also determine whether beet ingestion will produce red urine. There seems to be enough evidence here to suggest that the production of red urine after eating beets is not under genetic control, but rather is a function of stomach acidity and the presence or absence of other dietary components. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have discovered that not only is beet induced red urine not a matter of concern, it may be healthy. Beet extracts have been found to stimulate the liver’s production of phase II enzymes which are know to have cancer protective properties. This has been shown in mouse liver cell assays, but such experiments are known to be good models for what happens in the human liver. Since beet pigment shows up in urine, it must be absorbed from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, and therefore can increase phase II enzyme levels. Eating beets may therefore provide some protection against cancer. Incidentally, turning beet red in the face is solely a matter of embarrassment and has nothing to do with eating beets.

What comes out after a cleanse?
What comes out after a cleanse?

What comes out of your body when you detox? Numerous waste products such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, excess sebum, dead skin cells, and...

Read More »
What meat is healthier than fish?
What meat is healthier than fish?

Because there's some risk of ingesting “mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, microplastic due to our polluted water supply,” try to avoid species...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

How do you detox your belly fat?
How do you detox your belly fat?

Here's how to whittle down where it matters most. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ... Think eating plan, not diet. ... Keep moving. ... Lift...

Read More »
How do you avoid saggy skin when losing weight?
How do you avoid saggy skin when losing weight?

How can you avoid loose skin while losing weight? Lose weight gradually. Although it may not always be an option, losing weight slowly is the best...

Read More »
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
How long do unpeeled carrots last?
How long do unpeeled carrots last?

CARROTS - FRESH, RAW, UNPEELED To maximize the shelf life of raw carrots, refrigerate in a plastic bag. How long do raw carrots last in the...

Read More »
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
How do you flush out your bowels?
How do you flush out your bowels?

Drinking lukewarm water has been shown to be good for digestion as well. Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This includes...

Read More »