Joy Onuorah

Your urine can tell you a lot about your health and your habits.

Changes in the smell and color of your urine are typically harmless, but sometimes they can indicate a medical problem. Normal, healthy urine is usually mildly yellow with a slight odor.

What your urine smell says about your health

Forty per cent of people can smell a change in urine after they eat asparagus, sometimes called “asparagus pee.”

Dehydration can produce an ammonialike odour.

A urinary tract infection can produce sweet-smelling urine.

Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of type 2 diabetes.

Foul-smelling urine can indicate a sexually transmitted infection.

What your urine odour says about your health

Clear urine is a sign of good hydration and potential overhydration.

Pale yellow urine is an indicator of good hydration.

Dark yellow urine is a sign to drink more fluids.

Amber-coloured urine can indicate dehydration.

Orange urine can be caused by various foods or medications or be a sign of potential liver problems.

Pink or red urine can be caused by foods or medications or it can also be a sign of blood in the urine.

Blue or green urine can be caused by medications or food dyes, but it can be a sign of bacteria or the rare condition known as blue diaper syndrome, too.

Dark-brown urine can be a sign of liver or kidney problems.

White urine can occur when your body contains excess calcium or phosphate, or it may indicate a urinary tract infection.