how soon after eating beets is urine red

After eating beets, red or pink urine (called beeturia) typically appears within 2 to 6 hours. The timing depends on how fast your digestive system works. The red color comes from betalain pigments in beets that are absorbed and then excreted in urine. The red urine usually lasts no more than 12 to 24 hours, though it can linger a bit longer if a large amount of beets was consumed or digestion is slower. This condition is harmless in most people and affects about 10-14% of the population. If red urine persists beyond this timeframe or occurs without beet consumption, medical advice should be sought.