beeturia
nounEtymology From beet + -uria.
1
Medicine, Sciences The passing of red or pink urine after eating beetroot, caused by the excretion of betalain (betacyanin) pigments such as betanin.
- Like other alkaloids, it is poorly absorbed, so that even after eating large amounts of beetroot, beeturia (the presence of betanin in the urine) is found in only 14 % of the normal population (Watson, Luke & Inall, 1963).1964, Biochemical journal, volume 90, page 673:
- The failure to metabolise betanin is controlled by genetic factors in man and beeturia (betanin in the urine) is found in approximately 14% of the population in this country (Watson, 1964).1967, J.B. Harborne, Comparative Biochemistry of the Flavonoids, page 294:
1 more example
- An unusual effect of beets is that they can cause “beeturia,” or a red coloration to the urine, after ingestion.2016, Andy Brunning, Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell?: Fascinating Food Trivia Explained with Science: