These variations, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms SNPs , were located on chromosome 1 — a chromosomal region that contains multiple genes connected to the sense of smell. The study authors point out that the discovery of these SNPs provides scientists with future research routes that may uncover the genetic structure and function of the overall sense of smell. A higher proportion of women 62 percent than men 58 percent reported that they could not smell the odor.
The researchers are dubious of this result as they say that women are known to more accurately and consistently identify smells. The team proposes that this unexpected result might be due to a few modest women who did not want to admit that they could smell the odor, or that due to the female position during urination, they may be less likely to notice an unusual scent. First and foremost perhaps is: why such a delicious delicacy as asparagus results in such a pernicious odor, and what are the selective pressures driving genetic variations that lead to asparagus anosmia?
They note that asparagus provides a rich source of iron, fiber, zinc, folate , and vitamins A, E, and C, and that consumption may reduce the risk of cancer , cognitive impairment, and cardiovascular-related diseases. Harvard T. Learn about the potential health benefits of eating asparagus. Achondroplasia is a rare genetic disorder that causes short stature and bowed legs as a result of a genetic mutation.
Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Max via Getty Images. Illustration by Eva Hill. Suggest a correction. Some people notice the rotten-like smell as early as 15—30 minutes after eating asparagus, and studies have determined that within 25 minutes, half of the asparagusic acid consumed has already been absorbed 7.
The fast absorption rate suggests that the effect of asparagus on urine smell can appear quite quickly, and recent studies also agree that it can last for more than a few hours. One study in 87 people who ate 3—9 spears of asparagus found that the half-life of the asparagus smell was 4—5 hours 3.
The half-life of a substance tells you how long it takes for it to reduce to half of its initial amount. Therefore, if the half-life of the asparagus smell was estimated at 4—5 hours, it means that the total effect could last up to 8—10 hours.
Yet, another study in people who also consumed 3—9 asparagus spears reported the half-life of the smell to be 7 hours, meaning that the effect could even last up to 14 hours 7. When your body metabolizes asparagusic acid, it produces numerous smelly, sulfur-based compounds that give your pee a rotten-like smell that can last 8—14 hours. The effect of asparagus on urine scent is not universal, and a number of hypotheses try to explain this phenomenon.
One hypothesis — called the production hypothesis — suggests that only some individuals are capable of producing the sulfurous compounds responsible for the smell, while others are non-producers. This hypothesis asserts that non-producers lack a key enzyme that helps metabolize asparagusic acid and are thus unable to produce the smelly byproducts 4. The other hypothesis — called the perception hypothesis — states that everyone produces the smell, but some are unable to detect or perceive it 4.
In this case, researchers found a genetic modification that alters one or more of the olfactory receptors that should respond to the asparagus smell, causing what is known as asparagus anosmia, or the inability to smell asparagus pee 8. Ever wonder why eating asparagus can lead to funky smelling pee? Related Articles.
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