Urine smells like food

December 14, 2006 9:47 PM

Within an hour or so after eating or drinking, my urine smells strongly of whatever I ate or drank. Is this an indication that there is something physically wrong with me?
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

It would probably be best to ask a doctor, but if you're eating things like asparagus, eggs, popcorn, garlic, or fish, it's not uncommon for your urine to take on the smells of those food. If you don't drink a lot of water, it will probably be more noticeable... if you're looking to reduce the odour of your urine, try drinking more water.
posted by perpetualstroll at 12:25 AM on December 15, 2006

You may find relevant responses in this thread.
posted by gatorae at 1:02 AM on December 15, 2006

It depends on the food. There are some flavor/scent components of some foods which go straight through and out the kidneys, and that's normal and healthy.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 5:02 AM on December 15, 2006

I find (please don't construe this as rascist) that if I eat a lot of curry dishes; like let's say I get a jar of curry sauce and use if for every meal. After a few days I very distinctly begin smelling different, including urine, feces and gerenal pitt smell. Same goes for fish all the way, I once worked at a fish market and ate fish 3 times a day and...
posted by Napierzaza at 5:33 AM on December 15, 2006

Asparagus, onions, garlic, and fish all cause increased odor in the urine. Eight to 10 glasses of water, cranberry juice or other noncaffeinated beverages daily decrease the odor of urine. From Mayo Clinic.
posted by JJ86 at 6:34 AM on December 15, 2006

If your urine is not odorless, colorless, and tasteless, then you are dehydrated. Drink water. then drink some more.
posted by nineRED at 7:44 AM on December 15, 2006

nineRED...you got a source for that?
posted by mmascolino at 9:25 AM on December 15, 2006

I don't know about tasteless, but all the first aid and wilderness survival courses I've ever taken agree with what ninRED said.
posted by tiamat at 11:30 AM on December 15, 2006

Maybe your sense of smell has become stronger?

I've been noticing the same thing lately but I'm sure it's because my sense of smell has gotten stronger.

Is your nose experiencing similar phenomena outside the toilet bowl?
posted by pants tent at 3:47 PM on December 15, 2006