Mom cooked us a meal tonight. Asparagus was included. I don't like asparagus, but mentioned that the reason might be because it makes pee stink.
They had not heard this before, but I was sure I was right, so I researched it to find out.
It is asparagus that might cause your pee to smell funny.
Here is what MSNBC has to say:
"WHY DOES YOUR PEE SMELL WHEN YOU EAT ASPARAGUS?
Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. It is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and in the secretions of skunks. The signature smell occurs when this substance is broken down in your digestive system. Not all people have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan, so some of you can eat all the asparagus you want without stinking up the place. One study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that only 46 percent of British people tested produced the odor while 100 percent of French people tested did. Insert your favorite French joke here________________________________."
Mom assured me that she would check to see if she notices a different the next couple of days.
Let's all wait with anticipation.
Jenny has made no such promises.
I must not have the mercaptan gene since I have not noticed any change in my body fluid odors. I think this is just one of those urban myths.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, there would be no need to "wait a couple of days" to notice the change in odor - for me it happens within 30 minutes of eating asparagus (which I love). Also, if you haven't noticed it by this point in your life, you probably don't have the enzyme - the odor is pretty obvious but fortunately doesn't last typically more than a day (at least not for me).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the research - my husband thought I was crazy, too.