Come on, you know youve wondered why this happens.
Read on to get some answersand to learn about a cool health check called the Beet Test.
But if you’re still curious to knowwhythis happens, keep reading.
Photo: Jacob Fox
Betanin has a high uptake in the gut, which means that it is absorbed in large concentrations.
This can cause the pigment to be excreted rapidly in urine, and again later in stool.
It’s a phenomenon called beeturia.
But red pee and poop after eating beets may not happen to everyone.
And beets aren’t the only food that can alter the color of your pee and poop.
Is Beeturia Cause for Concern?
Occasional beeturia is normal and can last up to 48 hours.
“Typically, beeturia is not cause for concern,” says Pflugradt.
It’s a sign your body enjoyed the beets as much as you did.
A bulky, soft stool is ideal.
This makes beets perfect for doing the Beet Testa simple way to measure your digestion’s transit time.
A slower transit time might indicate constipation or some other digestive issue.
“The beet test is a non-scientific test of transit time through your gastrointestinal tract,” says Pflugradt.
“Basically, youre checking to see how long it takes for consumed beets to pass through.
Pflugradt notes that red beets, not yellow ones, should be used for the beet test.
And it usually works with as little as one serving of beetsabout half a cup of cooked beets.
Unless beets cause digestive or gastrointestinal issues for you, beeturia shouldn’t stop you from eating beets.
