A method is provided for suppressing, in a color reagent solution which is used to measure a component within a sample and which contains an oxidative color reagent dissolved therein, a background rise that occurs when the color reagent solution is stored. The method includes adjusting a hydrogen ion exponent (pH) of the color reagent solution so as to be strongly acidic. The hydrogen ion exponent is preferably adjusted to 2.9 or below or to 2.1 or below. The color reagent solution is preferably used to measure the degree of oxidative stress. The oxidative color reagent is preferably a phenylenediamine derivative.