What is the harmless phenomenon resulting from the red beet pigment where urine or stool turns red or pink?
Beeturia
A noticeable side effect that consumers might experience after consuming red beets is a change in the color of their waste products. This condition is specifically termed beeturia, characterized by the urine or stool turning red or pink. It is important to understand that this is considered a harmless phenomenon. The discoloration is purely due to the body excreting the concentrated red pigment, known as betacyanin, which remains unmetabolized or passes through the system intact. While this visual change can be alarming if unexpected, it simply confirms the presence of the pigment and does not indicate a medical issue, unlike the concern regarding high oxalate levels that necessitate limiting consumption for those prone to kidney stones.

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