As many as forty percent of the people find their urine smelling strange after eating asparagus. Read on to know the reasons behind this in the following article.
So, you ate asparagus and then, after about half an hour or so, you went to the bathroom for a leek and what do you see? Your urine is smelling awfully strange and funny!! This triggers all sorts of doubts in your mind. Was it asparagus or is there some infection or medical condition behind it? To put an end to all these apprehensions, let me tell you, it’s not just you but about half of the people who consume asparagus, who can actually smell a strange odor emanating from their urine! The following article discusses the reasons behind this strong urine odor caused from eating asparagus.
Causes
Researches have shown that the reason behind this strange urine odor after eating asparagus, is the presence of two ingredients, namely, sulfur-containing compounds known as methyl mercaptan, as well as asparagine, in asparagus. Methyl mercaptan compound is one of the many reasons why people get a bad breath or pass out gas.
On the other hand, asparagine is an amino acid which is present in dairy products, seafood particularly fish, chicken, eggs and many other foods. When both these ingredients are metabolized by the digestive tract, they are first broken down and this results in a strange smell from the urine. This smell from the urine, after eating asparagus, has been compared to rotten eggs and ammonia. It is so strong and distinct that it is difficult to miss it! However, some studies sing a completely different tune!
Certain studies show that it is not as if everyone who eats asparagus is going to get a smelly urine. Only about forty to fifty percent of the people, who have a specific gene, are actually able to break down the two compounds in asparagus mentioned above and experience a strong smelling urine. Studies also indicate that not everyone can actually smell the strange odor! There are certain people, who might not actually smell the sulfur-containing compounds in the urine! This again, according to the researches, is based on genetics.
As you can see, there is no concrete evidence supporting the exact cause behind urine odor after eating asparagus. Scientists are still not sure, whether it is Methyl mercaptan or asparagine or a combination of both, which causes this strange phenomenon. Neither, there is any confirmation vis-a-vis, whether half of the people are unable to smell the strange odor or whether they don’t get the smelly urine, in the first place. There is still, a lot of research to be done regarding this, to arrive at concrete results.
Whatever might be the causes, the thing is that it is an absolutely harmless condition. Eating asparagus and getting a smelly urine after that, does not indicate any kind of medical problem. The smell will go on its own after a few hours. However, if you still want to get rid of it, as soon as possible, drink lots and lots of water and fluids. This should do the trick!
