raw asparagus

I am a fan of many vegetables, I guess I am fortunate for that, given the health benefits. One of my favs is asparagus. I like it steamed, I like it grilled, I like it sauteed, I like it wrapped in prosciutto, and I’ve even been known to eat it raw.

(All photos courtesy of dreamstime.com)

grilled asparagus

But one thing has always puzzled me: why does it make your pee smell?

This most challenging prompt of this blogger challenge has encouraged me to investigate.

According to Smithsonian.com, the essence of the matter is our bodies conversion of asparagusic acid into sulphur-containing chemicals, which are then expelled with our urine. Without this conversion, there is no smell, which is why asparagus itself does not have the odor. It requires the processing within our bodies after consuming asparagus to produce the pungent result. But get this, some people either do not produce the smell when eating asparagus (scientists still don’t know why), while still others cannot perceive the smell (this appears to be a single genetic mutation). Who knew?

This post is part of the Brave, Bold, Blogger Challenge (BBBC) issued by my moto-blog friend Kathy, aka ToadMamaToadmama, to cover 28 blog prompts in the month of February. And good for undisciplined me, no rules either.

Toadmama’s Challenge

Prompt: Vegetable