2007-03-02 14:45:38 · 5 answers · asked by Ray G 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Some of the constituents of asparagus are metabolised and excreted in the urine, giving it a distinctive, mildly unpleasant odor. The smell is caused by various sulfur-containing degradation products (e.g. thiols and thioesters). Studies showed that about 40% of the test subjects displayed this characteristic smell; and a similar percentage of people are able to smell the odor once it is produced. There does not seem to be any correlation between peoples' production and detection of the smell.[1] The speed of onset of urine smell is rapid, and has been estimated to occur within 15-30 minutes from ingestion.[2]
2007-03-02 15:14:44 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ ☆ StarLiteGrl~98☼1 ☆ ♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Artichokes have a sort of similar odor (like white wine, to me) . . . and we won't even go into what red beets do at the "other end of processing"
(It may be a genetic ethnic thing too; I think more in the US could note the odor of asparagus in urine that in other countries. I'm one of those people who seem to be able to smell *everything* --blesssing and curse....)
Diane B.
2007-03-03 13:05:30 · answer #2 · answered by Diane B. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The amino acid asparagine. It is a water soluble amino acid that is in a high concentration in asparagus.
2007-03-02 23:12:53 · answer #3 · answered by Ford Prefect 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont eat asparagus but coffee makes my pee smell. It smells just like coffee. Ewww thats gross!
2007-03-02 22:56:40 · answer #4 · answered by Princess Rach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but it sure is cool to eat it the day before you have to get a drug test.
2007-03-03 14:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by seahorse 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋