asparagus

[WhiteBear]

why does asparagus make urine smell? and what can be done to prevent the smell?? (apart from stop eating them)

i'm a big fan of eating asparagus, its just off putting when I pee, it really smells. does anyone else have the same problem?? or is it just me?

[mccfluff]

nothing you can do about it apart from not eating asaragus, its a gene that you have that causes it

[coccinelle]

It's strange you say that; when I used to eat asparagus (don't now I know) I got a urine infection!! I wonder what's in it...

[jackthehat]

Urine

Following the consumption of asparagus, the urine of some people contains various sulfur-containing compounds, which produce a smell identified by some people. The prevalence of smell production and detection is debated.

This phenomenon has been observed since the 18th century, and is caused by (the metabolism of) asparagusic acid and its derivatives, which are present in asparagus but not other vegetables. - Wikipedia

[whifffey]

I think the taste of asparagus is worth the inconvenience of whiffy urine.

Incidentally, a colleague of mine went as far as visiting her GP for blood and urine tests, convinced she was dying from a kidney disease. I happened to mention the asparagus thing, she clutched my arm in relief and never looked back.

Bovril and penicillin do it as well.

I get clear pink urine after very very hot curries, it stings like hell as well, but heyho I persevere, the pain is worth it for the pleasure.

[Postdog]

And Sugar Puffs - no wonder the honey monster is yellow!

Seriously, your wee always smells of sugar puffs when you have been eating them.

[Mctavish]

Gosh you learn something new on here every night.

[CatInTheHat]

The urine smell affects neither me nor my partner - though he tries hard to use it as an excuse for not eating it, nor any other 'green s***t' (his words). I think this affects only a few people. I agree more with the Sugar Puffs thing! When we were little girls and used to go into loo cubicles together at school, you could tell who had eaten them!
I promised my partner he needn't eat any more for a year (asparagus, not SugarPuffs).

[J'Adore]

my wee smells of Coffee, after ive had a cup of instant coffee, werid

[Brooksy]

In centuries past, asparagus had the nickname "chambermaid`s nightmare" as she would have to empty the pots from the night before.