‘I will sip it like a beer because…': Paresh Rawal admits he drank his urine to heal a knee injury faster; why expert warns against such unproven remedies
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal recently opened up about an unusual remedy he followed to recover from a serious knee injury sustained while shooting for Rajkumar Santoshi's film Ghatak.
Rawal revealed that after injuring his leg during a scene with Rakesh Pandey, he was rushed to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai by fellow actors Tinnu Anand and Danny Denzongpa. Fearing his career was over, he shared that action director Veeru Devgan suggested a surprising method to speed up his recovery: drinking his own urine.
Speaking to The Lallantop, Rawal said, 'Veeru Devgan had come to visit when I was in Nanavati (hospital). When he got to know I was there, he came up to me and asked what happened to me? I told him about my leg injury.'
He continued, 'He told me to drink my own urine first thing in the morning. All fighters do this. You will never face any problem, just drink urine first thing in the morning. He told me not to consume alcohol, which I had stopped, mutton or tobacco. He told me to eat regular food and urine in the morning.'
Determined to follow the advice properly, Rawal added, 'I will sip it like a beer because if I have to follow through, I will do so properly.' After doing this for 15 days, he said, 'When the X-ray reports came in, the doctor was surprised.' According to Rawal, what would have normally taken over two months to heal instead healed in about a month and a half.
But, is there any scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking one's own urine can speed up the healing of such injuries?
Dr Jagadish Hiremath, public health intellectual, tells indianexpress.com, 'There is currently no scientific evidence to support the claim that drinking one's own urine can aid in the healing of fractures, ligament injuries, or similar musculoskeletal conditions. Healing from such injuries typically depends on factors like the body's natural regenerative processes, adequate blood supply, rest, nutrition, and appropriate medical interventions.'
While urine contains some elements like electrolytes, urea, and trace amounts of vitamins, these are substances the body has already chosen to eliminate. 'Reintroducing them does not provide any proven therapeutic benefit, particularly in the context of bone or soft tissue healing. The standard of care remains proper medical treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive nutrition,' he stresses.
Potential risks or side effects that could arise from drinking urine
Urine is generally sterile at the point of production in healthy individuals, Dr Hiremath says, but it is essentially a waste product containing substances the body seeks to remove, such as toxins, excess salts, and metabolic by-products. Repeatedly consuming it over a period of time could pose risks, including dehydration (due to its high salt content), imbalances in electrolytes, and increased burden on the kidneys.
Additionally, he says that if a person has an undiagnosed infection or underlying health condition, 'drinking urine could introduce bacteria or contaminants back into the system, potentially leading to infections or gastrointestinal issues. It is always advisable to follow evidence-based medical practices for any health condition.'
Could lifestyle changes explain a faster-than-expected recovery from a knee injury?
Dr Hiremath says, 'Absolutely. A well-balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins (such as Vitamin C and D), calcium, and other essential nutrients plays a crucial role in supporting the body's natural healing mechanisms.' Adequate hydration, abstaining from substances like alcohol that can impede healing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and following a structured rehabilitation program can significantly enhance recovery from injuries.
Many cases of 'faster-than-expected' healing are often a result of a combination of these positive lifestyle factors, individual biological variability, and adherence to medical advice.
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