Urine colors can help to ascertain lifestyle and health conditions. The color varies depending on what has been consumed through drinking and eating, or medical diseases. The pigment that makes urine yellow is called ‘urochrome.’ It varies from a pale yellow to amber depending on the concentration. Oral medication can turn urine a fluorescent blue or green. Carrots can come out in orange. Vitamins make pee a brighter yellow. Some berries, beets, or beans are notorious for affecting urine color. A case of dehydration will result in amber urine.
During the day your body loses water through perspiration. While you sleep, the water from your body is lost as well. This is why drinking water is crucial. Begin each day with an intake of water. Drink a glass after you wake up, and before going to bed; if you would not like your sleep disturbed with an urge to urinate, drink a glass two hours before going to bed.
Set a reminder for yourself to drink enough water.
If your mouth is dry or sticky or you have an overwhelming thirst, you are dehydrated. Chronic dehydration can lead to heartburn, gastritis, headaches, arthritis, weight problems, depression, and premature aging. In the early hours of the morning this is natural, as you have been asleep for eight hours with no water intake; concentrated urine is darker during the mornings.
Over-consuming water results in transparency, in which case you may want to cut down your water intake. Do not go overboard consuming water. Too much water with reduced sodium can result in hyponatremia – this causes swelling of the brain cells that may lead to seizures, confusion, or even a coma .
The easiest way to determine your hydration level is simply by watching the color of your urine. There is no substitute for water consumption. However, dehydration cannot be reversed overnight; water intake needs consistency.
