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healthy eating: asparagus is good for you even though it makes your pee smell funny

asparagus is packed with vitamin a, c, e, and k, fibre, folate and asparagusic acid — the culprit behind that distinctive pee smell.

by chris arnold
published jul 04, 2022
read time 3 minute read
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read time 3 minute read
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healthy eating: why does asparagus make your pee smell funny?
asparagus can be eaten either cooked or raw. (getty)
if it’s farmed, comes from the ground, is green and kids typically don’t like it, it’s probably good for you. asparagus is each of those things and so much more — even though it contains an uncommon acid that makes your pee smell funny. the vegetable can be a staple with seafood and with meat. contrary to popular belief, it can be eaten essentially raw as well as spiced up with some extra flavour for more excitement. 

where does asparagus comes from?

as a species, asparagus is native to many different locations around the world — from siberia to the mediterranean to southern africa, according to britannica. the vegetable was grown as both an ornamental plant for decorative purposes and as food, depending on the specific type of asparagus. 
canadian asparagus is primarily grown in ontario, quebec, and british columbia, according to the canadian encyclopedia, with roughly 7,000 tons of the green being produced nationally each year.
china is the world’s leader in asparagus production, german data company statista writes. the country produces more than 7.3 million metric tons of the vegetable each year, while the second largest producer, peru, produces just 370,000 metric tons. 

asparagus is packed with vitamin a, c, e, and k, fibre, folate

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peaches are a moderate source of vitamin a and c, as well as potassium, according to the cleveland clinic. getty
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the green is packed with vitamin a, c, e, and k, as well as fibre and folate, according to eating well. as perhaps one of the less known vitamins, the harvard school of public health says k helps with circulation, supports the development of proteins that play an important role in blood clotting, and builds bones. 
the veggie is also a natural diuretic, which assists in increasing urination for those who eat it, but also helps rid the body of unnecessary salts. for people with conditions that cause them to retain fluids easily, diuretics can be a helpful tool. 

asparagusic acid — the culprit behind that distinctive pee smell

asparagus makes your pee smell funny. it may not be a life altering side-effect of eating poorly cooked food, but it is still a side-effect nonetheless — and an unpleasant one at that. 
asparagusic acid is the culprit behind the scent, the cleveland clinic’s website says. the acid breaks down into sulphur containing byproducts after being eaten, which evaporate when you start peeing. those byproducts in the air is what that produces the smell in the bathroom. 
some people can also experience gas and bloating after eating the veggie, and there is also potential for diarrhea for those who are sensitive to fodmaps, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols,
powered by
canadian society for exercise physiology
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livestrong says.

when to eat asparagus

on its own, asparagus can last up to four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad, according to does it go bad. there are ways to extend that, however. wrapping the vegetable in a wet paper towel or sealing it in a jar with water can extend the fresh period from one to two weeks. 
to find the good stuff at the store, pick bunches that are bright green and firm. avoid anything that is soft. 

how to eat asparagus

asparagus is a no-nonsense vegetable that can work well as a main dish. 
to get started with the green, snap off the bottom about an inch away from the end and prepare by chopping into penne sized bites and placing in a boiling pot for a few minutes. 
remove from the water and simply top with olive oil, lemon zest, and a bit of parmesan cheese for flavour, and in just a few minutes there is a quick main or side that can satisfy a cheese craving without adding too many calories.
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
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