Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAsparagusic AcidAsparagus and Pee OdorWhen the Odor Goes AwayDoes Everyone Smell It?Should I Give It Up?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Asparagusic Acid
Asparagus and Pee Odor
When the Odor Goes Away
Does Everyone Smell It?
Should I Give It Up?
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.
This sulfur-containing compound is excreted in the urine and produces a sulfurous odor.Researchers believe that most people experience a change in their urine’s odor after eating asparagus. However, not everyone can detect it.
This article explains why asparagus makes your pee smell and what you can 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 sulfur-containing compounds in urine vaporize easily. This means that when you urinate, the compounds evaporate right away, allowing you to smell the urine odor almost immediately. 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:OnionsBrussels sproutsGarlicCoffeeDehydrationCertain medicationsVitamin B6Some medical conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yeast infections, and kidney stonesPregnancy
What Else Makes Your Pee Smell?
Asparagus is not the only food or substance to make your urine smell. Other foods and causes include:OnionsBrussels sproutsGarlicCoffeeDehydrationCertain medicationsVitamin B6Some medical conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yeast infections, and kidney stonesPregnancy
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.
The urine odor is usually still present after four to five hours and may last as long as 14 hours after consuming asparagus.
Does It Happen to Everyone?
It is also possible that some people are unable to smell the different odors in their urine. A study found that in 6,909 participants who consumed asparagus, 58% of those assigned male at birth and 62% of those assigned female at birth could not smell the unpleasant odors in their urine.
Researchers believe that people who do not smell asparagus pee may have a genetic modification that affects their smell (olfactory) receptors, which respond to this specific odor. This condition is known as asparagus anosmia.
Should I Stop Eating Asparagus?
If the sulfurous urine odor has caused you to avoid eating asparagus, you could eliminate it from your diet. However, you may want to reconsider cutting back on the vegetable. Asparagus is safe to eat and is rich in several healthy nutrients, including:
Asparagus is rich indietary fiber.Many people do not consume enough fiber each day, and this nutrient improves digestion and reduces the risk ofconstipation.Asparagus also containsprobiotics, which improve gut health.
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 can 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.
Can You Eat Asparagus Raw?
Summary
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.
While the smell of asparagus pee can be unpleasant, asparagus is a healthy vegetable loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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