15 Random Facts About Pee You Should Know

Trust us, after reading this, you'll never look at your trip to the loo the same way again!

Romans used urine as... mouthwash

Yes, you read that right! The ancient Romans would gargle with urine to whiten their teeth. It wasn't just a quirky habit, though – they believed it actually worked due to the ammonia in urine, which can act as a cleansing agent.

Urine was historically used for household chores and cleaning

In history, aged urine, also known as lant, had multiple uses. It was utilised for gunpowder production, cleaning, tanning leather, and even dyeing textiles. A versatile liquid, wouldn't you say?

The colour of your pee is because of 'urobilin'

That light yellow shade comes from urobilin, a pigment formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. So, if you're wondering why your urine is changing colour, this might be the reason.

Pee that smells odd isn't always a bad thing

Ever notice a strong smell after eating asparagus? That's asparagusic acid breaking down. Other foods like coffee, onions, alcohol, and even spicy dishes can affect the scent of your pee, too.

However - if you notice any of the below, it's time to speak to your GP:

• Ammonia scent can indicate dehydration.
• 'Musty' smell could mean liver disease.
• Offensive, foul smelling urine could indicate a bladder infection.
• Sweet, 'pear drop' scent can indicate diabetes.

Urine isn't sterile – even in the bladder

Contrary to popular belief, urine is not sterile, not even in the bladder. Microbes can be present, so it's not the "clean" liquid many think it is.

Pee doesn't help a jellyfish sting

Despite what we all learnt from 'Friends', peeing on a jellyfish sting won’t help and can even make the sting more painful. Instead, if you or a loved one are stung by a jellyfish, you should rinse the area with hot water and seek medical attention.

Pee was subject to taxation

Roman Emperor Nero instituted a tax on urine to capitalise on its widespread use in industries like tanning, cleaning, and laundering, where it was highly valued for its ammonia content, which his successor Vespasian continued. The phrase "money doesn’t smell" (pecunia non olet) comes from this time, proving that even something as unglamorous as urine could generate revenue!

Alchemists tried to extract GOLD from urine

In 1669, German alchemist Hennig Brand discovered white phosphorus while trying to extract gold (yes, GOLD) from urine. This bizarre quest led to one of the most significant discoveries of its time!

'Piss' and 'Pee' originated in France

The word "piss" predates "urine" and comes from 12th-century French, meaning "to urinate." Over time, it evolved into modern phrases like "piss poor" and "taking the piss." By 1788, "pee" appeared as a polite abbreviation.

A Pot to Piss In? It’s Historical!

The saying "a pot to piss in" has real historical roots. In poorer households, people - the 'piss poor' - collected their urine to sell to tanneries in pots, that the whole family would pee into. If your pot was stolen, the thief was 'taking the piss'.

The Bourdaloue gave women freedom to travel

Named after French preacher Louis Bourdaloue, this small, handled 'chamber pot' similar to a modern gravy boat, was used by ladies during long sermons or travels. Beware those 'gravy boats' you see in antiques shops - they might have a slightly different purpose than the one you think!

Doctors have used urine to diagnose medical issues for 6,000 years

Uroscopy, now known as urinalysis, dates back to ancient Sumer and Babylonia around 4000 BC.In medieval times, doctors believed that urine could reveal the balance of the body's four humours—blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile—making it a key diagnostic tool for understanding a person's health. As medical research advanced, uroscopy was discredited - although some of it's early principles laid the foundations of urinalysis today.

Your Bladder Can Hold Up to 2.5 Cups of Urine

The average bladder can store around 2.5 cups of urine, about the size of a pint of beer, for up to five hours before you need to head to the loo.

The female urethra is less than a quarter of the length of males

Did you know the male urethra is between 16-22 cm long, while the female urethra is only 3-5 cm? Despite this difference, both do the same essential job of releasing urine from the body.

Adults produce an average of 550 litres of pee a year

On average, a healthy adult produces 550 litres of urine per year - that's around 1.4 litres of urine daily. We visit the toilet around 6-8 times. It's safe to say, our bladders stay busy!

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