You are not alone if you have noticed a peculiar or unpleasant smell in your urine after eating asparagus.
Theurine odorresults from the body breaking down a compound in asparagus calledasparagusicacid.
However, not everyone can detect it.
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This article explains why asparagus makes your pee smell and what you’re free to do about it.
Elena-soul / Getty Images
What Is Asparagusic Acid?
Asparagusic acid is a nontoxic compound found only inasparagus.It containssulfur, which affects urine odor after consuming it.
When the body breaks down asparagus, it metabolizes asparagusic acid and excretes it through the urine.
Asparagusic acid gives the urine a strong, sulfurous smell.
Other sulfur compounds include rotten eggs, natural gas, and skunk spray.
Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell?
The compound asparagusic acid contributes to the odor in urine after eating asparagus.
When the body digests asparagus, it produces sulfurous by-products, which the body gets rid of through urine.
The sulfur-containing compounds in urine vaporize easily.
One of these compounds is methanethiol, which has a strong odor.
What Else Makes Your Pee Smell?
Asparagus is not the only food or substance to make your urine smell.
Other foods and causes include:
How Long Does the Smell Last?
Eating asparagus can quickly affect the smell of your urine.
Most people notice an unpleasant odor in their urine about 15 to 30 minutes after eating asparagus.
After 25 minutes, the body has absorbed about half of the asparagus consumed.
Does It Happen to Everyone?
Not everyone will detect an unpleasant smell in their urine after eating asparagus.
This may be because they lack an enzyme that breaks down asparagusic acid.
It is also possible that some people are unable to smell the different odors in their urine.
This condition is known as asparagus anosmia.
Should I Stop Eating Asparagus?
However, you may want to reconsider cutting back on the vegetable.
Asparagus also contains compounds calledanthocyanins, which haveantioxidanteffects.
Antioxidants help the body fightfree radicaldamage and lowerinflammation.
To preserve the antioxidant benefits, avoid overcooking your asparagus.
While the smell of asparagus in urine can be unpleasant, this vegetable is a nutritious powerhouse.
It is worth the health benefits if you might cope with the smell.
There are many ways to enjoy asparagus.
The vegetable can be blanched, grilled, roasted, and steamed.
Incorporate asparagus into salads, side dishes, casseroles, and more.
Summary
Asparagus pee shows up when urine smells unpleasant after you eat asparagus.
It contains a compound called asparagusic acid.
Researchers believe most people experience asparagus pee after eating it, but only some can detect it.
After eating asparagus, expect your urine to have a foul odor for up to 14 hours.
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