Benedict's reagent is a chemical reagent commonly used to detect presence of glucose in urine. The interpretation of Benedict's test are as follows:

No colour change (blue)	no glucose present
Green	trace amounts present
Yellow	low amounts present
Orange	moderate amounts present
Brick red	large amounts present

This was the time tested test for the determination of urine sugar since decades. Though urine sugar estimation has become obsolete, it is still practiced in the resource poor locations.


In Dec 2013 issue of Gems, we published the entry of SGLT2 inhibitors in the market, which acts on the proximal convoluted tubule promoting the excretion of excess blood sugar through the urine. Paradoxically, urine sugar estimation in patients on SGLT2 inhibitors can yield positive results despite well controlled diabetes –a strong message not to rely upon urine sugars from now on.