Diagnostic accuracy of urinary indices to detect mild dehydration in young men following acute riboflavin, Vitamin C or beetroot supplementation

Background Individuals of all ages are encouraged to monitor their hydration status daily to prevent clinically severe fluid imbalances such as hyponatremia or dehydration. However, acute oral nutritional supplementation may alter urinary hydration assessments and potentially increase the likelihood of inappropriate clinical decisions or diagnosis. This investigation sought to examine the influence of three common over-the-counter nutritional supplements (beetroot, riboflavin, and Vitamin C) on urinary hydration assessments in physically active young men after a 2% exercise-induced dehydration. Design Eight males (Mean ± SD; age: 22 ± 3 yr; body mass index: 27 ± 5.0) consumed either a standard meal with supplementation (intervention) or a standard meal without supplementation (control). Participants performed a variety of aerobic or resistance exercises until reaching ≥2% body mass loss in a counter-balanced, double-blinded design. Following exercise participation, urine samples were collected for an 8 h observational period during which food consumption was replicated. Urine samples were analyzed for urine color, specific gravity, volume, and osmolality. Maintenance of ~2% body mass loss (2.6 ± 0.5%; range: 1.7–4.0%) was confirmed following the 8 h observational period. Results Statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes were noted in urine color following Vitamin C supplementation compared to control; however, the difference was not clinically meaningful. Conclusions These findings indicate that urine color, specific gravity, and osmolality maintain clinical utility to detect moderate levels of dehydration in physically active men consuming commercially available doses of beetroot, riboflavin, or Vitamin C.