« Chafing is NO Fun | Main | Stretch to Maximize, Not Minimize Performance »
Why does my urine smell funny after eating asparagus?
By Christina | February 5, 2009
If you are among the lucky fifty percent, you have no idea what this question is all about. Not everyone has the unusual smelling urine shortly after eating asparagus. Within 30 minutes of eating asparagus, you will know if you are among the group who digest the green vegetable in this malodorous manner.
Asparagus is rich in fiber and nutrients so don’t give up on it just because of the funny smell, it is harmless and happens as a result of the amino acids breaking down during digestion. Interestingly, this smell is created from the same sulfur group that skunks create when they are fearful.
Scientists disagree on whether or not everyone breaks down the sulfur smelling amino acid. Some believe only half can smell it, other believe only half produce it. I suppose one way to test the theory is to have someone who can smell it, stand there and sniff tubes of asparagus rich urine, but who wants that job?!
Topics: Nutrition |
May 7th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
My urine smells like a wet rag that has been laying around a couple of days. I have eaten asparagus a few times this spring and notice the smell after eating it. Is this the smell other people notice or is there something more?