Friday, June 12, 2009
Stinky Asparagus Pee
Sara and Dave were over last Friday for dinner / bridge / beer tasting. During dinner, which happened to include asparagus, Dave made a comment about stinky asparagus pee. I kid you not.
At first, I really thought Dave was some freak of nature. I've consumed asparagus in significant quantity my whole life, and have never noticed any particular side effects from asparagus (unlike say beets). After laughing about the whole thing for a few minutes, I forgot about it until today.
Yes, I googled "Stinky Asparagus Pee".
And I got results. LOTS of results. Like dozens of full out articles on the subject from reputable news sources. The Discovery Channel, UBCs Scientific Quarterly, and even the staid old Wikipedia.
The topic was best explained in this brief note on MSNBC.com:
WHY DOES YOUR PEE SMELL WHEN YOU EAT ASPARAGUS?
Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. It is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and in the secretions of skunks. The signature smell occurs when this substance is broken down in your digestive system. Not all people have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan, so some of you can eat all the asparagus you want without stinking up the place. One study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that only 46 percent of British people tested produced the odor while 100 percent of French people tested did. Insert your favorite French joke here________________________________.
At first, I really thought Dave was some freak of nature. I've consumed asparagus in significant quantity my whole life, and have never noticed any particular side effects from asparagus (unlike say beets). After laughing about the whole thing for a few minutes, I forgot about it until today.
Yes, I googled "Stinky Asparagus Pee".
And I got results. LOTS of results. Like dozens of full out articles on the subject from reputable news sources. The Discovery Channel, UBCs Scientific Quarterly, and even the staid old Wikipedia.
The topic was best explained in this brief note on MSNBC.com:
WHY DOES YOUR PEE SMELL WHEN YOU EAT ASPARAGUS?
Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. It is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and in the secretions of skunks. The signature smell occurs when this substance is broken down in your digestive system. Not all people have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan, so some of you can eat all the asparagus you want without stinking up the place. One study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that only 46 percent of British people tested produced the odor while 100 percent of French people tested did. Insert your favorite French joke here________________________________.
Labels: Asparagus Pee
# posted by Greg @ 4:10 PM 
Comments:
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Two comments:
1. I'm actually kinda surprised that you've made it this far in life without hearing about asparagus pee!! I'm one who lacks the gene, though, so perhaps that's why it's not news to me. Beets, on the other hand, do not have a lingering effect on me... Too much info?
2. As for wedding beer... Sara mentionned that the Mill St Wit beer was one of the contendors? I would like to pu in 2 votes for this (from Sean and I)... it's one of our favourites. I would also like to suggest Beau's All-Natural Lugtread... it's from Vankleek Hill. Sean's firm has it on tap and it's pretty gosh darn tasty! You can get it at the LCBO... at least in this end of the province!
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1. I'm actually kinda surprised that you've made it this far in life without hearing about asparagus pee!! I'm one who lacks the gene, though, so perhaps that's why it's not news to me. Beets, on the other hand, do not have a lingering effect on me... Too much info?
2. As for wedding beer... Sara mentionned that the Mill St Wit beer was one of the contendors? I would like to pu in 2 votes for this (from Sean and I)... it's one of our favourites. I would also like to suggest Beau's All-Natural Lugtread... it's from Vankleek Hill. Sean's firm has it on tap and it's pretty gosh darn tasty! You can get it at the LCBO... at least in this end of the province!
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