biology

eat some asparagus and maybe you'll smell something

So, in reference to this poll on asparagus, I wanted to share some information about what really happens (theoretically, at least).

Gee, that made...First, here's a article about why some people's urine smells from eating asparagus. Read up and come back. I'll wait.

So one idea is that there's an enzyme that breaks down asparagus into an amino acids, one of which is methyl mercaptan. That's the culprit... I thought it was interesting that some people have the enzyme, but aren't able to smell it.

You may be wondering why I'm writing about this - it's because I have the enzyme, but I know others who don't (or at the least aren't able to smell it). That's why I set up the poll - I was interested to find out how familiar it was to people. It's anonymous too, so nobody else will know about your stinky pee.

Of course, there's also the humor factor, like in Austin Powers' Goldmember, when he's "filling the fountain" and takes a bite of asparagus. Any other shining examples of high-brow humor?

Does asparagus make your pee smell funny?

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