222 Why Asparagus Makes Your Pee Smell

The Body Nerd Show - A podcast by Alexandra Ellis

Today’s episode doesn’t need a whole lot of explanation: I had asparagus one day and couldn’t help but wonder about a peculiar scent. If you eat asparagus, you know exactly what I’m talking about. So I dove into the research and learned way more about asparagus than I ever thought I would 🙈 Asparagus has some unique compounds that when metabolized, produce ammonia and various sulfur-containing degradation products that are responsible for the distinctive smell. And if you’ve ever had asparagus, you know exactly what I’m talking about! It’s nothing new - this discovery dates back to 1891 but it wasn’t until 2010 that we finally got some answers as to why this happens only for some people. Trust me, you won't look at asparagus the same way again. 😄 You’ll learn: Why asparagus makes your pee smell The chemical compounds that are responsible for the odor And the genetic reason why some people can smell it and others cannot All the links: Web-based, participant-driven studies yield novel genetic associations for common traits. PLoS genetics 6, no. 6 (2010) Odorous urine in man after asparagus. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1989 Identification of asparagusic acid as a nematicide occurring naturally in the roots of asparagus." Chemistry Letters 4.1 (1975) 30 days to more strength + flexibility with the Mobility Mastery Toolkit www.aewellness.com/podcast - Show notes, links and more. Come hang out with me on Instagram @hollaformala : https://instagram.com/hollaformala/ TikTok @ aewellness Bodywork Starter Guide - learn the 6 places you need to roll right now for quick relief, plus the reason why what you’ve tried so far has only given you a temporary fix. Download the guide for free now at www.aewellness.com/bodywork 818-396-6501 is the Body Nerd Hotline - how do you build consistency and/or where are you getting stuck? Drop me a line and let me know your body nerd hacks - you might just hear your voice on a future episode! Today’s episode is brought to you by Mobility Mastery Toolkit. Forget icing and stretching - and get a simple program you can do on your own that actually works. The Toolkit includes 30-days of exercises so you know exactly what to do to improve the mobility of your hips, lower back, feet, neck and shoulders. With video demos and a full-body mobility workout calendar, you’re just 15-mins a day from feeling stronger and more flexible. Get $20 off when you use the code MASTERY at www.mobilitytoolkit.co