Why is pee almost always yellow?

Question

I was talking with a co-worker about pee the other day and we couldn't figure out with all the coffee she drinks why her pee is still yellow and not brown. Any ideas?

Answer 1

The color of pee is caused by bile, a chemical the liver produces to break up fat. When our bodies break down bile, the pigment urochrome turns pee yellow. The lighter the color, the more liquid has watered it down.

In fact, you can easily determine if you're dehydrated from the color of your urine. Dark yellow is a symptom of moderate dehydration and is a sign that you should drink fluids right away. However, taking vitamin supplements can also cause pee to appear yellow.

Believe it or not, urine's yellow color was once believed to come from gold. Long ago, alchemists attempted to extract gold from pee. Needless to say, they were unsuccessful. However, in 1669, an alchemist named Hennig Brand discovered phosphorus while engaged in the undertaking. Among other things, this find helped to spark the creation of matches.

You may have asked this question lightheartedly, but for hikers and parents of small children, understanding the significance is important for health and safety.

Answer 2

Pee color doesn't depend on food color, urea is the chemical that makes it yellow. Most of the coloring in food is absorbed by your body.

Answer 3

DRINKING LOTS OF WATER WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS
OPPOSED TO COFFEE, WHEN URIN IS "YELLOW", IT MEANS
A LACK OF WATER IN THE BODY...

Answer 4

The brown part of the coffee gets added to her poop.

Answer 5

It only changes color when drinking lots of water, it becomes colorless.