I stayed away from asparagus for many years. It didn’t appeal as a food to me. It reminded me of something a deer would normally eat and I had plenty of other non-deer food. Once I tried it at the restaurant and since then I eat it occasionally when I feel like it. It’s green, it’s cheap, it tastes good, it’s easy to cook and it’s good for you, what’s not to like.
Shortly after I tried asparagus for the first time I went to the restroom and noticed that something was wrong (shut up Chimpo!). I looked around, I was by myself in my own restroom so it had to be me, but at that time I didn’t make the asparagus connection. Next time the skunky smell was overwhelming and familiar. Still thinking it was improbable I googled it and my hunch was confirmed.
You may have heard the tall tale that “asparagus urine” is linked to higher intelligence. In fact, it’s the result of a simple chemical reaction. Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. (It’s also found in rotten eggs, onions, garlic, and in the secretions of skunks.) When your digestive tract breaks down this substance, by-products are released that cause the funny scent. The process is so quick that your urine can develop the distinctive smell within 15 to 30 minutes of eating asparagus.
Article continues:
…not everyone has this experience. Your genetic makeup may determine whether your urine has the odor — or whether you can actually smell it. Only some people appear to have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan into its more pungent parts. A study published in the May 1989 British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that 46% of 115 people tested produced the odor in one group of British citizens, while 100% of 103 people produced it in a group of French citizens. The ability to smell the by-products may also be genetic. Another study published in the same journal found that 10% of a group of 300 Israeli Jews could not detect the odor. In other words, a person’s urine could smell, but he or she might not know it.
With this scientific survey we will determine how our local group reacts to asparagus consumption. The instructions are easy: if you know the answer, you may vote right away. If you don’t eat asparagus, option 3 is for you. If you don’t know, you will need to eat some asparagus and report the results. You will know if you can smell it, this smell cannot be mistaken for anything else.
This is the most educational post you’ll read all week. Recognize! And vote!
[poll id="4"]
This is an excellent topic. It’s one of my favorite food-related issues, aside from people who absolutely hate cilantro. I think that’s poll-worthy too.
You know, I’ve never really paid attention to what my urine smells like. As long as it’s clear and the color lighter than a post-it note, I’m good.
However, I did manage to stumble upon something that makes my delicate girly parts and subsequent urine smell like maple syrup.
What the hell is that creepy monkey-looking thing????
It’s called Cheburashka. I guess I should explain it in a separate post.
Heather, you cannot not pay attention to that smell.
yes the smell is impossible to ignore
Ugh, I never liked the taste but don’t remember a smell (I was a kid). My Father loves the stuff tho. Unfortunately for his family, not only does his pee smell but he gets gas that smells like a bucket of rotten meat mixed with dog crap.
So, I say, no thanks!
I’ve heard about this but I don’t have that issue and I’m glad because I lalalalove asparagus.. mmm
Ive also heard it gives a guys baby batter a bad taste, and while I cant speak from experience, Chimpo, its hard to imagine non asparagus flavored spunk could be tasty. I digress, yes asparagus makes my pee smell funny.
Yeah, I get the asparagus-smelling pee too.
But you know what I discovered a few years ago? For people who get the asparagus thing, they also get the same kind of effect with rose petals. So when you eat rose petals, your pee will smell like roses.
Haha…I eat asparagus all the time and don’t have a boyfriend…could that be why? lol Guess I better talk to Heather.
I had asparagus for dinner.
No funny urine smell. I actually made an effort to check.
It makes my pee smell like…asparagus. I don’t consider that to be a “funny” smell, so I answered no on the vote.
Lots of things make your pee smell like them when you eat ‘em. Sugar Smacks makes your pee smell like Sugar Smacks. Same thing with Corn Pops.
Ok, I’ve noticed it occurring mostly in cereal-eating situations, but whatever.
[...] of voters enjoy the awesome smell of asparagus urine. I don’t know what it means, except that I will [...]