Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable rich in folate, vitamin k, iron, fiber and potassium. But as Benjamin Franklin observed in 1781, “a few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreeable odor.” Why does asparagus make our urine smell?
Asparagus is the only known food that contains the sulfur-containing compound, asparagusic acid. When we eat asparagus, this compound is broken down into odorous metabolites which are then excreted in the urine, giving our urine it’s funny smell. This entire process can occur in as little as 15 minutes after eating asparagus.
Many of you may be wondering, “what funny pee smell”? Although it’s thought that everyone produces and excretes the malodorous metabolites in their urine after eating asparagus, only about 40% of people can detect/smell them. This means about 60% of people don’t notice any change in urine odor. It appears this difference is due to genetic variation.
Regardless of whether you can, or can’t, smell a change in your pee after eating asparagus, one thing is certain. We should continue to eat our veggies, including asparagus.
✌️❤️🌱🌍
#nutrition#nutritionnerd#dietitian#funfacts#funfact#nutritionist#dietitiansofinstagram#dietitiansofig#registereddietitian#dietitianapproved#asparagus#asparagusseason#nutritionadvice#nutritionfacts#dietitianhumor#dietitianstudent#nutritionmajor#nutritionscience#dietetics#dieteticstudent#dieteticintern#science#sciencefacts#sciencefun
Which one stands out to you? 😀
It took me WAY too long to realize this when I was on my own journey, but gut health is WAY more than what you eat.
Improving your gut health also includes optimizing the little moments each day and making lifestyle shifts that will support your gut long term.
THREE THINGS I DO DAILY 👇
1) Morning sunshine: This is a simple, yet powerful practice! Getting your eyes in the sun early in the morning tells your body it is time to be AWAKE! When your body is awake, so is your gut. Optimize your circadian rhythm AND your digestive health by getting outside for 10-15 minutes, early in the morning ☀️
2) Walking: Even if just for 10-15 minutes, walking is a powerful practice that can also transform your gut health. Walking stimulates bile flow, gut motility and can get things moving 💩. I used to think I had to run everyday to get my gut to move....glad that is no longer the case anymore! Now I run when I want to 😃
3) Check in with your nervous system: Your stress and your nervous system health GREATLY impacts your digestive health. This is probably the MOST MISSED piece for many of our clients that feel they have "tried everything". Check in with your nervous system by setting silent phone alarms to go off every couple hours. You can attach an affirmation to it too! If you're feeling stressed, do something to reduce it 😄
Leveraging lifestyle shifts is something very powerful and essential to your journey. Comment below by stating which action you plan to implement first! 👇
.
.
.
.
.
#dietitiantips#morningroutine#routinesforhealth#nervoussystem#nervoussystemregulation#nervoussystemhealth#circadianrhythm#circadianrhythms#sunshine#instasun#getoutside#runeveryday#guthealth#gut#wellbeing#health#lifestyle#sunshine#morning#instasun#dietitian#morningroutine#guthealthdietitian#guthealthtips#guthealthsupport#ibsdietitian#ibslife#ibshelp