Asparagus

September 1, 2006 9:00 AM

Why does it stink when I pee?
posted by three blind mice (46 comments total)

More importantly, why does it STING when I pee?
posted by jonson at 9:12 AM on September 1, 2006

Why is it pink when I pee?
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:19 AM on September 1, 2006

Tell me more, Internet!
posted by Mikey-San at 9:19 AM on September 1, 2006

Sweet tags. $30 is yours.
posted by Balisong at 9:23 AM on September 1, 2006

Why is it pink when I pee?
Beets, Astro Zombie.
posted by Floydd at 9:23 AM on September 1, 2006

and why is it pink when I pee?
posted by owhydididoit at 9:30 AM on September 1, 2006

doh! must preview...
posted by owhydididoit at 9:30 AM on September 1, 2006

But I did not eat any asparagus.
posted by LarryC at 9:32 AM on September 1, 2006

I planted two big rows of asparagus this year. No harvesting the first year, but I will harvest a bit next year and then I can piss on everything in sight. Mark my territory like a tom.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 9:32 AM on September 1, 2006

Tell me more, Internet!
OK. Methanethiol is used to odorize propane and natural gas when used as fuel.
Otherwise, you know--BOOM!
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:33 AM on September 1, 2006

I had also heard that some people cannot smell other people's asparagus pee - that it is a different gene. Is this true?
posted by redbeard at 9:36 AM on September 1, 2006

Balisong - there's no more $30. It's September now.
posted by jonson at 9:36 AM on September 1, 2006

More importantly, why does it STING when I pee?

penicillin is there for you
posted by matteo at 9:41 AM on September 1, 2006

and wear a condom next time
posted by matteo at 9:41 AM on September 1, 2006

Perhaps more to the point, why does it ST:TNG when I pee? Can you tell me that?
posted by MetaMonkey at 9:44 AM on September 1, 2006 [3 favorites]

Also see Why does it hurt when I <p>?
posted by brownpau at 9:47 AM on September 1, 2006

I just read about some people not being able to smell other people's asparagus pee, but I don't recall where. I don't keep up on the pee journals or any asparagus newsletters, so I can't imagine where I would read it. A few Google searches came up with...well, I didn't find what I was looking for.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:47 AM on September 1, 2006

I had also heard that some people cannot smell other people's asparagus pee - that it is a different gene. Is this true?
posted by redbeard

Interestingly, the BMJ later reported a study in which all the subjects could produce methyl mercaptan, but their ability to smell it in the urine differed. Those who were able to smell the odour in their own urine could smell it in the urine of anyone who had eaten asparagus irrespective of whether or not that person could smell it.

And for the record, it doesn't stink at all. There is just a distinct (not unpleasant) odor. In mine, that is; I don't make a habit of smelling other people's pee irrespective of whether or not they've eat asparagus.
posted by leftcoastbob at 9:51 AM on September 1, 2006

Rocket (the salad type) has the same effect.
posted by prolific at 9:51 AM on September 1, 2006

i love science.
posted by empath at 9:52 AM on September 1, 2006

Uhm, did you RTFA?
And I quote: (quoting here from the article)
"Interestingly, the BMJ later reported a study in which all the subjects could produce methyl mercaptan, but their ability to smell it in the urine differed. Those who were able to smell the odour in their own urine could smell it in the urine of anyone who had eaten asparagus irrespective of whether or not that person could smell it. The authors suggested that the ability to smell these substances in one's or, indeed, another's urine was also genetically determined."
(End of direct quote from the linked article)
posted by Floydd at 9:52 AM on September 1, 2006

Also see: Why does it 'tink!' when I pee?
posted by unSane at 9:53 AM on September 1, 2006

More importantly, why does it STING when I pee?

Because you had a liason with the taco stand lady.
posted by lumpenprole at 9:55 AM on September 1, 2006

But does it smell like ham?
posted by oraknabo at 9:55 AM on September 1, 2006

Perhaps apocryphal, but hey, it's Friday:

A gentleman's club in London for many years displayed the following sign in its foyer: "Members will kindly refrain from relieving themselves in the umbrella stand during asparagus season."
posted by briank at 10:02 AM on September 1, 2006

And for the record, it doesn't stink at all. There is just a distinct (not unpleasant) odor.

I agree with leftcoastbob. Now, when you've been chowin' down on shuggoth sauce, we're talkin' serious pee-stink! That'll bring the Beings from Beyond Space flockin'!
posted by languagehat at 10:06 AM on September 1, 2006

Related: Why do bookstores and libraries make me poop?
posted by Plutor at 10:18 AM on September 1, 2006

Why can't I drink while I pee? Seriously, just last night, my man teased me mercilessly for taking my beer into the bathroom!
posted by thinkpiece at 10:23 AM on September 1, 2006

and to think I though it was the percocet....
posted by Jikido at 10:30 AM on September 1, 2006

i don't though i thought...never mynd
posted by Jikido at 10:32 AM on September 1, 2006

I've begun taking vitamins of late, as my doctor has suggested it may be the last way to prop up my wasting carcass against the ill winds of malnutrition, grievous amounts of alcohol and a penchant for foods that come from plastic wrappers and require no more than two minutes of my microwave's attention before they are ready to eat.

The particular vitamins I've been taking are maternity vitamins. They have about 9000% of your daily required dose for everything your body could possibly need. To be honest, I'm not sure why I still need to eat when I'm on them, although I still treat myself to the occasional peanut butter and jam sandwich for old times' sake (they were a staple when I was a lad).

Anyway, they have one particular downside that the medical profession did not see fit to inform me of: Specifically, my piss smells like week-old death. I have to be very careful not to use the bathroom at work whenever there is anyone nearby, as the stench easily reaches out from the bathroom and fills the entire hallway with a rich miasma that would stun a yeti. It is also an unnatural colour, somewhat like undiluted Mr. Clean - a glowing, fluorescent yellow. Curiously, I suspect it would be far superior to Mr. Clean in removing stains, paint and unwanted guests.

In any case, I can commiserate with those who experience rotten urine after asparagus. I hope the knowledge that there are others out there, with much worse renal output than they, will perhaps provide some comfort and solace to those who lock themselves in the bathroom for 20 minutes with the fan on to let the vapours air out before they feel confident leaving.
posted by kfx at 10:45 AM on September 1, 2006

hilarious, if oversharing...
posted by owhydididoit at 11:00 AM on September 1, 2006

Curiously, I suspect it would be far superior to Mr. Clean in removing stains, paint and unwanted guests

does it glow in the dark?
posted by matteo at 11:16 AM on September 1, 2006

In any case, I can commiserate with those who experience rotten urine after asparagus.
posted by kfx

That's not the way it is with us 40 percenters. We revel in it! I've noticed that a drop or two behind the ears and at the pulse points gives me that certain je ne sais quoi during asparagus season.
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:18 AM on September 1, 2006

This is kids stuff.

Let's talk after I had a big pot of red beans and rice.

Now we're talking stink!
posted by melkozek at 11:28 AM on September 1, 2006

Anyone else get powerful smelling urine after eating corned beef?
posted by teleskiving at 11:44 AM on September 1, 2006

You can do anything on the internet! The only limit is yourself.
posted by Mister_A at 12:01 PM on September 1, 2006

Why does my period look like meat?
posted by Cyrano at 12:22 PM on September 1, 2006

I noticed that after drinking several sugar-free red bulls, my pee smelled like the red bull tasted. (don't judge me, the coffee place closes at 2 am)
posted by apathy0o0 at 12:26 PM on September 1, 2006

OK but how did the pee taste?
posted by matteo at 12:30 PM on September 1, 2006

The unusual urine color from the multivitamins is caused by a large amount of vitamin B complex. You can take a large dose w/ water after a night of binge drinking before sleeping and feel better the next day, but it will cause you (your body) to smell like vitamin B and make your pee bright yellow/orange.

However, I remember that when I drank large amounts of some alcoholic drink, which I think was redbull + vodka, my pee would be flourescent GREEN. Like ghostbuster punch green. Unfortunately, I have not been able to reproduce the results in the lab recently. They must have changed the recipe. Or I killed all the enzymes in my body that protect me from redbull.
posted by kookywon at 12:44 PM on September 1, 2006

I'm pretty sure this belongs on AskMefi.
posted by crunchland at 12:51 PM on September 1, 2006

And for the record, it doesn't stink at all. There is just a distinct (not unpleasant) odor.

The article points out that the ability to produce the offending odor and the ability to smell it vary in degree. I assure you, I do not have a particularly delicate sense of smell, or of disgust, but my asparagus pee is way nasty.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:27 PM on September 1, 2006

I couldnt find this when I searched, but Mythbusters (I think) or perhaps one of those cooking shows, had a show awhile back about stinky piss relating to diet, ie asparagus, broccoli. Apparently not only is it genetic to produce it, but there's a genetic predisposition to being able to smell it as well.

As mentioned before, you eat enough beets, and ALL of your waste turns purple-red for a day or two. Can be a bit alarming if your not prepared for it.
posted by elendil71 at 6:59 PM on September 1, 2006

nasty thread... nasty but interesting
posted by sawthesign at 10:31 PM on September 1, 2006

my pee would be flourescent GREEN.

I had a friend who went to a party at the house of some chemistry majors in college. They had a punch which made your pee flourescent and a black light in the bathroom.

I wish to god I knew what was in that punch.
posted by lumpenprole at 12:06 AM on September 3, 2006