Asparagus Urine
A Few Facts About Asparagus & Urine
Asparagus can make one's urine smell differently, smell rather badly in fact. In reality, the term asparagus urine does indeed have some meaning. Not everyone may agree this is the truth, but that's part of the story.
Much has been written about asparagus urine, though not all that much has actually been said. There are a couple of facts which tend to confuse the issue, as to whether asparagus actually causes this effect. It appears that not every one who eats asparagus notices an unusual smell in their urine. Furthermore, even when it does occur, not everyone seems to be able to detect the smell. As far as the general population goes, about 50 percent claim to have the problem, and the other 50 percent do not. As far as being able to detect the smell, there seems to be a similar 50-50 split.
One reason for these seemingly strange statistics is that genetics may be involved. One person's genetic make-up may lead to the production of the chemicals causing the smell, another's may not. The same would hold true for having an ability to detect the odor.
Scientists have determined that a compound called methyl mercaptan, an amino acid produced as asparagus is being digested, is responsible of the smell. This is the same compound which gives skunk spray its rather distinctive odor. It would seem that everyone should be able to detect that particular odor, but apparently not.
A fair amount of research has gone into the question of asparagus urine odor, probably because those who experience it might, for good reason, wonder if something is wrong with them. As it turns out, nothing is wrong. It's just a strange occurrence and is perfectly harmless. As a matter of fact, many doctors are of the opinion that stinky asparagus pee is an indication that the kidneys are functioning properly.
This is one of those issues which will turn up from time to time, be discussed briefly, with nothing much new being added. Supposedly the problem is mentioned in one of Shakespeare's plays, and Proust made mention of it as, "changing my chamber pot to a jar of perfume".
It’s generally well known that the foods we eat can indeed influence the make up of our urine, in both smell and color. Asparagus urine has apparently been singled out because its odor, at least to some people, is really, really bad.