What does asparagus do to urine?

[marmaduke]

What causes the characteristic smell of urine after eating asparagus, very much in season right now?

[Gilli]

Apparently this phenomenon only affects about half the population (not me, I don't eat the stuff !)

It's due to sulphur-containing degradation products produced as the body metabolises the asparagus. Apparently, in Victorian England, asparagus was sometimes known as "chambermaid's nightmare" because of its nasty odour.

As an aside, am I the only person who's noticed a characteristic sweet smell (in urine) after eating sugar puffs ?

[pigface]

How odd.

Whilst having lunch in the garden on monday a friend brought this subject up. I chipped in with a comment about the sugar puffs - the friend had never experienced the phenomen but I have!

[normyc]

i've experienced this too. Also, try drinking Lucozades Solstice....it makes you Urine go fluorescent green,...

[marmaduke]

A course of penicillin can make your urine smell of banana

[brachiopod]

I can smell the malic (apple-y) aromatic compounds after I've been drinking cider.....