Beets are a root vegetable with many health benefits. … Beets can cause beeturia, which is when urine turns red or pink. According to one study, this condition affects about 14 percent of the population.

What is the meaning of beeturia?

Beeturia is the passing of red or pink urine after eating beetroots or foods colored with beetroot extract or beetroot pigments. The color is caused by the excretion of betalain (betacyanin) pigments such as betanin.

How soon after eating beets is urine red?

Some people cannot break the pigment down and this results in excretion of the pigment in urine and feces. The rest of the beetroot is digested and no nutrients should be lost. This usually lasts 48 hours, but it can vary in people who have a slow or faster rate of passing feces.