5 Fascinating Facts About Urine You Didn’t Know

Urine is something we all produce, but how much do you actually know about it?

Beyond being a waste product, urine has some surprising uses and medical significance. From ancient remedies to modern-day diagnostics, here are five fascinating urine facts you probably haven’t heard before.

What Is Urine?

Urine is produced by the kidneys as they filter the blood, removing toxins, excess electrolytes, and waste products.

🔬 How Urine Is Made:

1. Blood enters the kidneys, where nephrons filter out waste.
2. Essential nutrients and water are reabsorbed into the body.
3. The remaining fluid becomes urine, which is expelled through urination.

📌 Why It’s Important:

• Urine helps remove toxins and maintains fluid balance.
• If a person can’t urinate, toxins build up dangerously, requiring emergency treatment.

(Source: Edwards, J. G. The Formation of Urine, 1940)

1️⃣ 95% of Your Urine Is Water

Despite its yellow tint, urine is mostly just water.

📊 Breakdown of Urine Composition:

• 91–96% Water 💧
• Urea, uric acid, creatinine (waste by-products)
• Electrolytes & dissolved substances

(Source: MedlinePlus)

2️⃣ You Produce Up to 2 Litres of Urine a Day

A healthy person produces 800 mL to 2 litres of urine daily, depending on:
✔️ Hydration levels (more water = more urine).
✔️ Diet & salt intake.
✔️ Physical activity & sweating.

(Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia)

3️⃣ Urine Was Once Used as a Teeth Whitener

Yes, you read that right! 😲

📜 In Ancient Rome, doctors advised patients to rinse their teeth with urine—and it actually worked!

💡 Why? Urine contains ammonia, which is known to be a natural teeth-whitening agent.

(Source: Technology.org)

4️⃣ Changes in Urine Smell Help Diagnose Medical Conditions

Doctors examine urine odour to help diagnose health conditions.

👃 Common Urine Odours & Possible Causes:
✔️ Sweet-smelling urine → Possible diabetes.
✔️ Ammonia-like smell → Could indicate dehydration.
✔️ Strong odour after eating asparagus → A harmless genetic trait!

(Source: TENA UK)

5️⃣ What You Eat Affects Urine Colour & Smell

🍽️ Your diet directly impacts urine odour and tint.

🟡 Bright yellow urine? Likely from B vitamins.
🟢 Greenish tint? Certain leafy vegetables are responsible.
🔴 Red or pink urine? Could be beetroot, berries, or even blood—see a doctor if unexpected.

(Source: TENA UK)

💡 Want to Learn More About Urine & Health?

🚀 Oopsie Heroes is not just a bedwetting alarm—it’s a science-backed tool helping families understand urine patterns, toilet training, and healthy habits.

💡 Did You Know? Our bedwetting alarm can also be used for daytime toilet training, and we’re launching a dedicated daytime trainer soon!

🔗 Shop Oopsie Heroes – Bedwetting Alarms & Toilet Training Solutions and support healthy toilet habits today!