Introduction
We’ve all experienced it – chugging down a big glass of juice, only to find ourselves running to the bathroom again and again soon after. Some juices seem to go right through you, causing you to urinate frequently and in larger amounts. But why do some juices have this diuretic effect, while others don’t?
In this article, we’ll explore which juices tend to make you pee more, look at why they have this effect, and offer some tips for mitigating the frequent urination they can cause. Read on to learn which juices to limit if you don’t want to spend all day chained to the toilet!
Juices High in Natural Diuretics
Some juices have natural diuretic substances that stimulate urination. The main diuretic components found in juice are:
Caffeine
Caffeine is a mild diuretic that increases urine output. Juices made from coffee beans, tea leaves, guarana, and yerba mate contain varying amounts of caffeine.
Citrus Fruits
Fruits like lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges contain citric acid that can act as a mild diuretic.
Dandelion
Dandelion is an herbal diuretic. Dandelion root tea and dandelion juice spur frequent urination.
Parsley
Parsley has a long history of use as a diuretic. Its leaves contain apiol and myristicin, compounds with diuretic effects. Juices made with fresh parsley can make you pee.
So if you’re drinking juices with any of these ingredients, expect to be running to the restroom soon after!
Other Juices that Make You Pee
Aside from juices with recognized diuretic compounds, any beverage can potentially make you urinate more due to its fluid volume. Juices with high water content tend to have the strongest diuretic effect.
Here are some common juices that send people running to the loo:
Watermelon Juice
Watermelon juice has a high water content, with over 90% water. All that fluid rushing to your kidneys causes you to pee repeatedly.
Cranberry Juice
Tart cranberry juice is roughly 87% water. Its fluid load leads to frequent bathroom visits.
| Juice | Water Content |
|---|---|
| Watermelon Juice | 90%+ |
| Cranberry Juice | 87% |
Tomato Juice
Made from juicy tomatoes, tomato juice is about 95% water. Tomato juice is often used to help people stay hydrated. But its high fluid content means you’ll be peeing a lot too.
Apple Juice
Apple juice ranges from 85-95% water. It provides hydration but also sends you running to the toilet frequently.
Grape Juice
Around 80% of grape juice is water. So grape juice can cause frequent urination.
Vegetable Juice
Fresh vegetable juices made from juicy produce like celery, cucumbers, kale, and carrots tend to be high in water, in the range of 85-95%. This makes them likely to get your pee flowing.
Fruit Juices Higher in Sugar
While juices high in water content have an immediate diuretic effect, over time, juices higher in sugar can also cause you to urinate more frequently.
When you consume a lot of sugar, your kidneys pull more water into your urinary tract to help excrete the excess sugar. This leads to increased peeing.
Some fruit juices are quite high in natural sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Their sugar content can contribute to a diuretic effect if you drink a lot of them.
Here are some fruit juices higher in sugar that may cause frequent peeing if consumed often or in large amounts:
Apple Juice
While apple juice is high in water, it also contains 10-12 grams of sugar per 100ml. The sugar adds a diuretic effect.
Cranberry Juice
In addition to its water content, cranberry juice has about 10 grams of sugar per 100ml serving.
Grape Juice
Grape juice typically has around 15-25 grams of sugar per 100ml, upping its diuretic impact.
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice contains 13-15 grams of sugar per 100ml serving. Its sugar makes you pee.
| Juice | Grams of Sugar per 100ml |
|---|---|
| Apple Juice | 10-12g |
| Cranberry Juice | 10g |
| Grape Juice | 15-25g |
| Pineapple Juice | 13-15g |
Tips to Reduce Juice’s Diuretic Effects
If you want to enjoy juice without having to take up permanent residence in the bathroom, here are some tips:
Drink Juice in Moderation
Limit your portion sizes, and don’t go overboard guzzling juice. Drinking juice in excess is most likely to cause frequent peeing. Have no more than one serving with a meal.
Avoid Juicing Diuretic Ingredients
Check labels and avoid juicing ingredients known for their diuretic effects like caffeine sources, citrus fruits, dandelion, and parsley. Opt for non-diuretic ingredients.
Dilute Juice with Water
Cut your juice with water to reduce its diuretic impact. Try making your juice half juice, half water.
Slow Down Your Drinking
Sip your juice slowly rather than gulping it down. This gives your body more time to absorb the fluids and reduces sudden spikes in urination.
Avoid Juice Before Bed
Drink juice earlier in the day to prevent interrupted sleep from needing to urinate frequently at night.
The Bottom Line
Juices high in water and natural diuretics like caffeine and citrus tend to make you pee the most. But any juice can cause more frequent urination if consumed in excess. Drinking juice in moderation, avoiding potent diuretic ingredients, diluting, slowing your drinking, and avoiding juice before bed can all help mitigate the pee-inducing properties of juice. Just be mindful of juices’ fluid load and potential diuretic substances if you want to keep bathroom runs to a minimum.
