If you have recently taken a vitamin B supplement, you may have noticed some changes in the color of your urine.
You might look bright yellow, or even neon, if you’ve taken a supplement containing riboflavin (vitamin B2), says the University of Rochester Medical Center. Or it might look green if it were a B-complex vitamin supplement, he adds. Cleveland Clinic.
B vitamins are also water-soluble, meaning any excess leaves the body through urine. But don’t worry: this side effect is harmless and goes away on its own.
Why it happens
The color of your urine can say a lot about your health. Healthy urine is usually clear or pale yellow, says Cleveland Clinic.
Bright or neon yellow urine is usually the result of high B vitamin intake. For example, riboflavin contains a greenish-yellow pigment with fluorescent hues, says StatisticsPearls. When consumed in large doses, it can cause urine to turn bright yellow.
He National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that riboflavin regulates energy production and helps process lipids, steroids, and some medications. It is found naturally in most foods, including milk and dairy products, salmon, poultry, eggs, spinach, and almonds.
One cup of plain, nonfat yogurt, for example, contains 46 percent of the recommended daily intake of riboflavin, the NIH says.
Another possible cause of changes in urine color is excess vitamin B12, which can cause urine to turn yellow or yellow-orange, says Mayo Clinic. Your body needs this vitamin to make red blood cells and synthesize DNA, according to the NIH. And excessive consumption does not pose any health risk.
Folic acid supplements can also make your urine bright orange or yellow. He National Library of Medicine It says that these supplements contain a yellow or yellowish-orange powder. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is particularly important during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
Urine color and your health
In addition to vitamin B intake, a change in urine color could be a sign of dehydration, a urinary tract infection (UTI), or another health condition, says Cleveland Clinic. Some foods and medications can also affect the color of your urine.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, urine is at least 91 percent water. The rest contains urea, electrolytes and other compounds. Urobilin, a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin, gives urine its yellow color.
If your urine is colorless, you may be drinking too much water, which can cause electrolyte imbalances, says the Nebraska Methodist Health System. But dark yellow urine could be a sign of dehydration.
Light orange or neon yellow urine is usually the result of dietary supplements or medications, such as multivitamins. But it can also indicate liver or bile duct problems, depending on Mayo Clinic.
Certain foods, such as carrots, can also cause urine to turn orange. If your urine is white or milky, you may have a UTI.
See a doctor right away if your urine is red, black, dark brown or foamy, says Cleveland Clinic. These changes in urine color and texture may indicate a more serious problem, such as liver, bile duct, or kidney problems. Also, seek medical help if you see blood in your urine.
Why are B vitamins important?
There are eight essential B vitamins. Each one plays a different role in your body. They help provide the body with energy and create new red blood cells and DNA, says Cleveland Clinic.
Taking vitamin B can also help prevent deficiencies caused by diet or even certain health conditions.
Low levels of vitamin B12, for example, can affect your energy and stamina. You may also experience unintentional weight loss, poor appetite, constipation, depression, and memory problems. In the long term, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia and damage to the nervous system, according to the NIH.
You’ll want to make sure your diet also provides adequate doses of thiamine or vitamin B1, says the NIH. This vitamin helps the body convert food into energy. It is found in beans, fortified cereals, pork, tuna, brown rice, and other whole foods. Thiamine deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular problems, memory loss, anorexia, and neurological disorders.
The possible health benefits of B vitamins or B complex outweigh any potential risks, such as bright yellow urine. But before taking any new supplements, it’s wise to talk to your healthcare provider to make sure it’s safe to do so.
