does asparagus make your pee smell

Sun, 03 May 2026 11:04:30 +0000

Does Asparagus Really Make Your Pee Smell? Here’s What You Need to Know If you’ve ever eaten asparagus and noticed your urine taking on a distinct, sometimes sulfurous odor shortly after digestion, you’re not imagining things. This curious phenomenon—often called “asparagus pee”—has intrigued people for generations, but the science behind it is both fascinating and well-documented. ### What Causes the Smell? When you chew or digest asparagus, your body breaks down certain amino acids—particularly asparagine—into methanethiol and other volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds are naturally odorless in small amounts but become detectable in urine after being filtered and excreted by the kidneys. The result? A strong, sometimes pungent smell that lingers for a few hours.