Did you know that dehydration occurs when your body doesn’t have enough water? That's why staying well-hydrated is so important for your overall health. Surprisingly, one of the simplest ways to gauge your hydration status is by checking the colour of your urine. This method was first defined by Lawrence E. Armstrong and others in 1994 (1). The urine colour scale they developed includes eight different shades, ranging from very pale yellow to brownish green, indicating the concentration of your urine from most diluted to most concentrated.
Water plays a crucial role in thermoregulation and all of the body's metabolic functions. It is continuously lost through urine, faeces, breath, and sweat, making it essential to replenish this loss regularly through water, fluids, and diet to maintain a proper water balance. Since our metabolism produces only a small amount of water—about 250 mL per day—drinking water is the most significant source of fluid intake. On average, about 61% of our daily water intake comes from water, while the remaining less than 40% comes from other beverages and the water content in food (2).
Next time you make a quick trip to the toilet, take a moment to check the colour of your urine. If it looks like you might be dehydrated, reach for a glass of filtered water from Doulton®.
References:
- Armstrong, L. E., Maresh, C. M., Castellani, J. W., Bergeron, M. F., Kenefick, R. W., LaGasse, K. E., & Riebe, D. (1994). Urinary indices of hydration status. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 4(3), 265-279.
- Bandara, T., & Fernando, G. H. S. (2023). Proper hydration is central to the health and well-being of children. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 52(3), 336-341.
