Will eating cherries make your urine red?
Jan 02, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, consuming cherries may cause urine to turn red. Cherries contain a large amount of anthocyanin, a natural pigment. When a significant quantity of cherries is ingested, the anthocyanin is absorbed through the digestive system into the bloodstream and subsequently filtered by the kidneys into the urine. Due to its deep color, anthocyanin can change the color of urine, resulting in the phenomenon of red-colored urine.
Generally speaking, consuming cherries may cause urine to turn red. The specific analysis is as follows:
Cherries contain a large amount of anthocyanin, a natural pigment. When a large quantity of cherries is ingested, the anthocyanin is absorbed through the digestive system into the bloodstream and subsequently filtered through the kidneys into the urine. Because anthocyanin has a deep color, it can change the urine color, resulting in reddish urine.
Urine discoloration caused by cherries is a temporary physiological phenomenon and usually returns to normal gradually after stopping cherry consumption. When reddish urine occurs, it is advisable to drink more warm water or light tea to promote bodily metabolism and pigment excretion. Meanwhile, monitor the changes in urine color. If the urine color remains abnormal for a prolonged period or is accompanied by other discomfort symptoms, medical examination should be sought promptly.
Besides cherries, other foods containing red pigments may also cause reddish urine. Additionally, certain medications can affect urine color. If the reddish urine persists for a long time or is accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, or pain during urination, it may indicate urinary tract infections, urinary stones, or other urinary system diseases. In such cases, timely medical consultation and appropriate treatment are necessary.
