Why does asparagus make your pee smell?

Answer 1

I have heard that a substance called aspergillin is responsible. Presumably this is related to aspergillic acid, C12H20N2O2 (which is not a mercaptan). Whatever it is, it is absorbed quickly from the gut into the bloodstream, and excreted quickly by the kidneys.

Answer 2

The website WebMD blames this smell on the break-up of a chemical called mercaptan. That said, asparagus contains a half-dozen sulfur-based chemicals identical ones found in other such lovely smells as rotten eggs, garlic breath and skunk spray. There is some controversy in the scientific community over exactly which by-product, or combination of by-products, causes the asparagus urine smell.

But the story of asparagus urine is far from ending there. Some people eat asparagus, go to the restroom, and-amazingly-no smell. Further research suggested that, likely due to genetics, some people did not possess the enzymes required to create asparagus urine.

Answer 3

Asparagus causes a smell for some people .Some people do not smell asparagus in their urine after eating it.. There is some debate as to whether smelling asparagus in the urine is because of inherited smell capability or a difference in asparagus metabolism.

Answer 4

Good question. It is only the green asparagus which has this effect. It affects men, but I don't know that it affects women. Is it a factor of acidity levels?

Answer 5

Dunno, but fish like the smell. In WWII, American air crews in the Pacific were issued a survival kit which included fishing basics and a can of asparagus. You ate the asparagus then, before fishing, widdled in the water. It attracted the fish.

Answer 6

It has a very high concentration of Vitamin-B. It also makes it be a dark yellow.