why does asparagus make your wee smell?

[edgarcat]

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Apparantly there's some chemical in it (good for you I think) that makes some people's wee smell.

If yours smells, that's good because it means you have processed it. If it doesn't smell, it means you don't have the gene to process this chemical (I don't think I have it).

Fascinating. Can't remember the name of the chemical though. Perhaps run a search on "asparagus nutrition"?

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fish and celery as well

'Asparagus contains a sulphurous compound called mercaptan (which is also found in rotten eggs, onions and garlic). When your digestive system breaks down mercaptan, by-products are released that cause the strange smell. The process is so quick that your urine can develop the distinctive smell within 15 to 30 minutes of eating asparagus. Not everyone suffers this effect; your genetic makeup may determine whether your urine has the odour -- 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.'

Found this in the Guardian, also says Beetroot makes semen taste nice...though you probably didn't need to know that.

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Sugar Puffs make it smell too!

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and pineapple too pie,never tried though

Wow- never knew that about sugarpuffs! Do they contain mercaptan too, Pie?

Asparagus affects me reaaly quickly, and very strongly.

I didn't know about sugarpuffs !!!

Must offer dh beetroot more often !!!

rockingrosebud - yes, I've noticed that about sugarpuffs too (makes it smell of sugarpuffs, scummy, don't know why)

Hi Chanel. Nice to see you around again- how are you? jj was getting us confused on another thread the other night and I thought "oo how is chanel anyway?"

I think all wee first thing in the morning smells of sugarpuffs.

Hi scummy - I'm ok. How are things with you? Any news on the school front?

And Hi Tinker too! Hope things are ok with you.

Fine with me Chanel. Hope you're feeling well you teenage mum you

No news on the school front. But I start a new charming the school secretary and writing to the MP campaign on Monday so we shall see.

Teenage mum, me? Hah Seemed to have aged quite dramatically over the past few weeks and now resemble the mum out of Cutting It. Bless you though, Tinker

Good Luck, Scummy. You've got the right idea. Keep on at them and you'll get the right result.

some people are liking this a lot. Is why this is expensive vegetable

ZsaZsa - are you for real - I think not. Bog off.

Great to hear from you Channel, and I echo Tinker; have never worked out how you look like you've just left uni when you insist you've got 3 kids (and now a bump) and can still drink me under the table

Griffy - is there a reason for you being rude and aggressive to ZsaZsa?

ZsaZsa sounds like Ali G when he's doing his Eastern European character

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Twink - Have just seen your message. You are sweet. Wish you could see me now though, you'd laugh! Look forward to drinking you under the table at another mumsnet meet-up!

had it again last night...my god