So a couple of us were out to dinner this weekend and some of our dishes had asparagus in them. And we were all lamenting about how it was so tasty, but our pee would undoubtedly stink that night. I always wondered what the hell was up with that, so I looked into it. (How did we ever find anything out before the internet?) From WebMD: "You may have heard the tall tale that "asparagus urine" is linked to higher intelligence. In fact, it's the result of a simple chemical reaction. Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. (It's also found in rotten eggs, onions, garlic, and in the secretions of skunks.) When your digestive tract breaks down this substance, by-products are released that cause the funny scent. The process is so quick that your urine can develop the distinctive smell within 15 to 30 minutes of eating asparagus.
But not everyone has this experience. Your genetic makeup may determine whether your urine has the odor -- or whether you can actually smell it. Only some people appear to have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan into its more pungent parts. A study published in the May 1989 British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that 46% of 115 people tested produced the odor in one group of British citizens, while 100% of 103 people produced it in a group of French citizens. The ability to smell the by-products may also be genetic. Another study published in the same journal found that 10% of a group of 300 Israeli Jews could not detect the odor. In other words, a person's urine could smell, but he or she might not know it. While eating asparagus may make your urine smell strange, it won't harm you. Actually, asparagus -- a member of the lily family along with garlic, onions, and leeks -- is a powerhouse of nutrients. It's an excellent source of folic acid (a B vitamin that may help protect against birth defects, heart disease, and cancer), a significant source of vitamin C (an antioxidant that may protect tissues against damage), and a good source of vitamin A (an antioxidant). Not to mention that asparagus contains 3 grams of fiber per 3.5-ounce serving and a host of health-enhancing plant chemicals, or phytonutrients, that may protect against disease.
Although the link between "asparagus urine" and higher intelligence is a figment of someone's imagination, eating it regularly could be a sign of some serious health smarts."
I thought it was actually pretty interesting, but then again, I'm a huge dork.
5 comments:
brian and i have discussed this many times: the ability to make the smell (which, oh boy, i can!) vs the ability to smell the smell. because like you, we are also huge dorks.
I know -- I didn't realize that some people couldn't make the smell, or smell it! I wish I was either one of those. :)
I'm not sure which one I am, but I'm one of the two.
oh, man -- you are so lucky!
now i am sitting here trying to figure out how to test which genetic group stan is in... stan, you need a good friend to smell your after-asparagus pee. but, due to the reported variation, you may need several good friends to smell your pee! also, i need to figure out which group i am in beacuse i really cant say that asparagus has made much of an impression on me in the bathroom. i will try to set up the experiment soon!
- leah (peah)
Post a Comment