There’s a connection between some foods and strong-smelling urine.
Learn why your diet can affect the scent of your pee and what to expect.
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In fact, the phrase you are what you eat is especially accurate when it comes to your pee.
registered dietitian based in Nashville, TN
Can what you eat affect the smell of urine?
So, what causes strong-smelling urine?
Asparagus is one of the most well-known.
But why does asparagus make your pee smell, exactly?
That signature smell is due to its high asparagusic acid content.
Asparagus is considered to be a natural diuretic supporting the kidneys and bladder.
What foods make your pee smell?
8 lesser-known culprits of strong-smelling urine
1.
Brussels sprouts
Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell?
registered dietitian based in Nashville, TN
It could be theBrussels sprouts wingsyou ate last night.
Onions
Onions make you cry… and they also make your urine stinky.
Like Brussels sprouts, methyl mercaptan occurs naturally in the vegetable.
Along with causing strong-smelling urine, the gas is also responsible for bad breath.
Because of that, the compound builds up and exits the body via sweat, breath, and urine.
Unfortunately, theres currently no cure for trimethylaminuria.
With that being said, making some changes to your daily routine can help.
It also serves as a great reminder that youmightwant to cut back on the Starbucks a bit.
Cumin
If your urine smells like sulfur,currycould be to blame.
The spice is certainly comfortingespecially during the colder monthsbut it might come at a cost.
Cumin, one of its prime ingredients, contains sulfur compounds and may cause your pee to stink.
(Like otherfoods high in sulfur, they can also make your poop smell.)
Watch the video below to learn about the health benefits of garlic:
7.
Unfortunately, the more alcohol someone drinks, the smellier their pee will be.
Not all foods produce foul-smelling pee.
One that actually makes your urine smell good is pineapple.
When you eat the high-sugar fruit, sometimes your body fluids start smelling sweet, too.
That includesvagina smellsand tastes, asexperts say some people claimpineapple makes you, umm, sweeter.
8 more reasons
What causes strong-smelling urine aside from food?
Some people may even be looking for treatment for fishy-smelling urine.
Lots of things contribute to the odor of urine.
Some may be normal, others may be a sign that something is wrong, he says.
Here, Dr. Ingber highlights the most common non-diet-related reasons for a change in urine smell.
Hydration
Are youdrinking enough water?
If you wanthealthier pee, thats a good place to start.
Hydration status affects not only the color of urine but also the odor, says Dr. Ingber.
He explains that when youre dehydrated, the kidneys concentrate the urine and hold on to excess water.
The great news is that the fix is simple.
According to Hadley, simply drinking enough waterandelectrolytes, if neededcan deal with the issue quickly.
These medications can cause urine to have a rotten egg smell, he says.
Hadley notes antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs may affect the smell of urine, too.
Rare genetic conditions
Rarely, certain genetic conditions can cause urine odor.
Infections
Sometimes, Dr. Ingber says pee changes smell because of an infection, such asE.
colior staph (Staphylococcal).
If you have one of these infections, a change in urine could be a possible side effect.
Excess ketones
Ever ask yourself, Why does my pee smell like popcorn?
This is a medical emergency and requires urgent attention.
To keep the infection from worsening, consult a doctor for the best form of treatment.
And to learn more about ways to prevent them from occurring, read theseways to stave off a UTI.
Pregnancy
Have you noticed that your urine smells like ammonia?
When should you see a doctor?
Now you know what you eat can absolutely change the way your pee smells.
It could be the yellow flag your bodys waving to grab your attention.
That way, they can run tests to double-check there isnt an infection or other problem.
Frequently asked questions about smelly pee
What drinks make your pee smell?
Wondering what causes strong-smelling urine in terms of beverages?
According to Hadley, as your body breaks it down, the byproducts are filtered out through your kidneys.
This can leave your pee smelling like the coffee you just drank.
confirm youre getting enough water so that your body stays properly hydrated and your urine is less concentrated.
What does UTI pee smell like?
Urine that smells like sulfur could be a warning sign of a urinary tract infection, says Hadley.
(Just note that asparagus makes your pee smell like sulfur, too.
If your urine smells like ammonia, that could signal a UTI as well.
What does diabetes pee smell like?
If your urine smells sweet or fruity, never ignore it.
Why does my pee smell like popcorn?
If your pee smells like popcorn, it could be a signal to get medical attention.
A common cause of popcorn-smelling urine is the body using ketones instead of sugar as fuel, Hadley says.
This can occur with uncontrolled diabetes, which is dangerous.
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