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Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell?: Fascinating Food Trivia Explained with Science
Have you ever wondered...
• Why bacon smells so good?
• Why onions make you cry?
• If eating turkey makes you sleepy?
• If mixing drinks makes a hangover worse?
• How energy drinks work?
• Why chocolate is poisonous to dogs?
• Why coffee makes you more wired than tea?
• Why cilantro tastes soapy to some?
The answers to these baffling questions and more are revealed in this friendly, informative collection of trivia. Not a scientist? No problem. This book’s colorful graphics and easy-to-understand explanations make these food facts fun for everyone.
• Why bacon smells so good?
• Why onions make you cry?
• If eating turkey makes you sleepy?
• If mixing drinks makes a hangover worse?
• How energy drinks work?
• Why chocolate is poisonous to dogs?
• Why coffee makes you more wired than tea?
• Why cilantro tastes soapy to some?
The answers to these baffling questions and more are revealed in this friendly, informative collection of trivia. Not a scientist? No problem. This book’s colorful graphics and easy-to-understand explanations make these food facts fun for everyone.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
29 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 12, 2016
Have you ever wondered why when you eat asparagus that your pee smells? Why do some people including myself hate to eat Brussels Sprouts? And unless you are used to drinking coffee without sugar, why does it taste bitter? Does garlic give you bad breath? What causes fish to smell or blue cheese to smell so strong? What is the reason why you cannot eat grapefruit with some medications? How do energy drinks work? Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs? These are a few samples of some of the questions and topics included in Andy Brunning's Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell: Fascinating Food Trivia Explained with Science.
Brunning is a graduate chemist and school teacher and is passionate about making chemistry exciting and interesting. He is the creator of the Compound Interest blog that examines the chemical reactions we experience on a daily basis. In the introduction to the book, Brunning states “the aim of the book is to look at the quirky and sometimes downright weird properties that food and drink can exhibit, and explain in simple terms the chemistry that leads to them.” Consequently, he has divided his book into eight sections: Flavor, Aroma, Color, Poison, Sensation, Mind, Health, and Transformation.
For most of us organic chemistry might seem like a complex subject to broach, however, Brunning, who talks primarily about this branch of science in the book, succeeds in the opening pages in explaining the basics in terms that the layman will understand. And as he points out, chemical compounds with their wide range of different properties play an important role in the different effects of the foods we eat and drink as they are responsible for the flavor and aroma of the foods we eat and drink on a daily basis.
After the brief introduction, Brunning moves on to answer the most common questions pertaining to food and drink that many of us have wondered about. For example, did you know that a distaste for Brussels Sprouts has a neat genetic explanation to it? That the belief that carrots can help you see in the dark is a myth and we can trace its roots in British propaganda from World War II.
Have you ever eaten beets and were horrified when your urine turned red? As it turns out beets can cause “beeturia,” or a red coloration to the urine after ingestion. However, this is something that is not universal that affects everyone. And if you are still wondering about asparagus and why it makes your pee smell, which is the title of the book, Brunning informs us that the chemicals that cause the effect are all suspected to stem from just one chemical compound, asparagusic acid, which is only naturally found in asparagus.
Brunning's book is highly informative, well researched, and ideal for showing off your knowledge at dinner parties. My only complaint is that the print is quite small and some of the explanations are a trifle complicated to understand.
Brunning is a graduate chemist and school teacher and is passionate about making chemistry exciting and interesting. He is the creator of the Compound Interest blog that examines the chemical reactions we experience on a daily basis. In the introduction to the book, Brunning states “the aim of the book is to look at the quirky and sometimes downright weird properties that food and drink can exhibit, and explain in simple terms the chemistry that leads to them.” Consequently, he has divided his book into eight sections: Flavor, Aroma, Color, Poison, Sensation, Mind, Health, and Transformation.
For most of us organic chemistry might seem like a complex subject to broach, however, Brunning, who talks primarily about this branch of science in the book, succeeds in the opening pages in explaining the basics in terms that the layman will understand. And as he points out, chemical compounds with their wide range of different properties play an important role in the different effects of the foods we eat and drink as they are responsible for the flavor and aroma of the foods we eat and drink on a daily basis.
After the brief introduction, Brunning moves on to answer the most common questions pertaining to food and drink that many of us have wondered about. For example, did you know that a distaste for Brussels Sprouts has a neat genetic explanation to it? That the belief that carrots can help you see in the dark is a myth and we can trace its roots in British propaganda from World War II.
Have you ever eaten beets and were horrified when your urine turned red? As it turns out beets can cause “beeturia,” or a red coloration to the urine after ingestion. However, this is something that is not universal that affects everyone. And if you are still wondering about asparagus and why it makes your pee smell, which is the title of the book, Brunning informs us that the chemicals that cause the effect are all suspected to stem from just one chemical compound, asparagusic acid, which is only naturally found in asparagus.
Brunning's book is highly informative, well researched, and ideal for showing off your knowledge at dinner parties. My only complaint is that the print is quite small and some of the explanations are a trifle complicated to understand.
September 28, 2024
This particular book piqued my interest. Probably because it asks the mystifying but honest and sometimes embarrassing questions about food and why some foods just do funny things to our bodies or have an effect on something else. Questions like the title itself… Why does asparagus make your pee smell? Well, now I know the answer because of this little fun and highly educational book, which I am now a little obsessed with.
I know the answers to why beans make you fart? Well, I just wanted to know and I now I do. Why are some mushrooms poisonous? I know it will be a cold day in hell when you find me hiking and needing to forage for mushrooms but I still needed to know the answer and again now I do.
Do you remember Pop Rocks candy? Ever wondered how they popped and rocked in your mouth, this book has the answer. And, seriously did you know nutmeg can act as a hallucinogen. I have nutmeg in my kitchen cupboards and it is an often-used spice. Perhaps this is why I can sometimes forget why I am even in kitchen 🙂
I once did a special blogger night featuring dishes using the Miracle Berry where it focused on how this tiny berry can alter the tastes of different foods. I knew it could make citrusy fruit like lemons taste sweet, however I wasn’t really sure why. This book explains it.
I can truly say I love this little book, which is giving me a scientific edge on those odd questions people have posed since they could first ask questions about food.
The book offers pages on flavor, aroma, color, poison, sensation, mind, health and transformation with easy to follow explanations and scientific graphics. It could make for a super gift for someone.
My sister and 7-year old niece arrive from England this weekend and I know my niece is absolutely going to love it. Actually, thinking about my sister’s obsession with random trivia, she is probably going to love it more. I also think I am going to impress my friends with my deep knowledge of weird food questions or perhaps they will just think I have gone completely nuts. If they do, I will just blame the nutmeg.
I know the answers to why beans make you fart? Well, I just wanted to know and I now I do. Why are some mushrooms poisonous? I know it will be a cold day in hell when you find me hiking and needing to forage for mushrooms but I still needed to know the answer and again now I do.
Do you remember Pop Rocks candy? Ever wondered how they popped and rocked in your mouth, this book has the answer. And, seriously did you know nutmeg can act as a hallucinogen. I have nutmeg in my kitchen cupboards and it is an often-used spice. Perhaps this is why I can sometimes forget why I am even in kitchen 🙂
I once did a special blogger night featuring dishes using the Miracle Berry where it focused on how this tiny berry can alter the tastes of different foods. I knew it could make citrusy fruit like lemons taste sweet, however I wasn’t really sure why. This book explains it.
I can truly say I love this little book, which is giving me a scientific edge on those odd questions people have posed since they could first ask questions about food.
The book offers pages on flavor, aroma, color, poison, sensation, mind, health and transformation with easy to follow explanations and scientific graphics. It could make for a super gift for someone.
My sister and 7-year old niece arrive from England this weekend and I know my niece is absolutely going to love it. Actually, thinking about my sister’s obsession with random trivia, she is probably going to love it more. I also think I am going to impress my friends with my deep knowledge of weird food questions or perhaps they will just think I have gone completely nuts. If they do, I will just blame the nutmeg.
July 29, 2018
If you enjoy food trivia, you'll love this book. The book presents the complex food science in fairly easy to understand terms, but you'll need more than a passing knowledge of organic chemistry to get the most out of this book. Here are a couple of the most interesting facts that I learned: raw kidney beans are surprisingly poisonous; the popular myth that carrots improve your eyesight came from a British disinformation campaign during World War II to disguise the development of radar systems.
August 23, 2021
I have already read a couple of books on similar topics and in comparison the chapters are too short for my liking, the explanation sometimes feeling like just scratching the surface. But it's still very interesting and some of the topics were new for me. It might be great book as an appetizer, for someone reading about the topic for the first time.
July 4, 2019
Opět velice poučné kniha ze které se dozvíme zda jsou pravdivé některé pověry o jídle a jeho uchovávání či nakládání s ním.
Například zda je skutečně glutaman tak škodlivý jak se o něm tvrdí, nebo proč dávat či nedávat čokoládu do ledničky a spoustu dalších užitečných mých věcí.
Například zda je skutečně glutaman tak škodlivý jak se o něm tvrdí, nebo proč dávat či nedávat čokoládu do ledničky a spoustu dalších užitečných mých věcí.
May 24, 2020
Using organic chemistry, many interesting questions about food are answered. A very informative and interesting presentation.
June 3, 2016
If you love science and or you have an inquisitive mind (I guess I fit the bill because I always tell people my first word was WHY), you'll enjoy reading WHY DOES ASPARAGUS MAKE YOUR PEE SMELL? written by ANDY BRUNNING. Andy is a Chemistry teacher in the UK and the owner of the site, COMPOUND INTEREST. The cover of Asparagus is quite eye-catching along with the bright illustration inside it.Andy seems like a very thorough guy with a keen mind. Each article also includes graphs, diagrams and the chemical makeup of the item its about. Andy has included a well-written introduction. The book is broken up into categories like Flavor, Poison, Health, Transformation and so on.
Now I know why I am not crazy about asparagus. I always knew beans were gassy but now I know why they make me (and you) fart.I am still looking for the tee shirt that says I MAKE MY OWN GAS! There really is one out there somewhere. If you find it, let me know. Do you know why lemon helps to reduce fish odor? I always thought, and now I know I'm wrong (don't tell anyone) that eating turkey makes you tired due to a chemical, tryptophan. We just overeat.Everyone says that eating carrots helps to improve eyesight (maybe not?). There are so many food myths floating around and Andy Brunning is just the right man to investigate them. Get your copy of WHY DOES ASPARAGUS MAKE YOUR PEE SMELL? today. It's a wonderful gift for a curious friend or family member.
Now I know why I am not crazy about asparagus. I always knew beans were gassy but now I know why they make me (and you) fart.I am still looking for the tee shirt that says I MAKE MY OWN GAS! There really is one out there somewhere. If you find it, let me know. Do you know why lemon helps to reduce fish odor? I always thought, and now I know I'm wrong (don't tell anyone) that eating turkey makes you tired due to a chemical, tryptophan. We just overeat.Everyone says that eating carrots helps to improve eyesight (maybe not?). There are so many food myths floating around and Andy Brunning is just the right man to investigate them. Get your copy of WHY DOES ASPARAGUS MAKE YOUR PEE SMELL? today. It's a wonderful gift for a curious friend or family member.
June 29, 2016
*I received this book for free through the Goodreads giveaways.*
This book was a really fun read! It is full of interesting information about common foods, and it is both thorough with its scientific explanations and also relatively easy to understand. It also has some helpful and appealing info-graphics that compliment the text.
I recommend to everyone, even if you don't usually read up on food science.
This book was a really fun read! It is full of interesting information about common foods, and it is both thorough with its scientific explanations and also relatively easy to understand. It also has some helpful and appealing info-graphics that compliment the text.
I recommend to everyone, even if you don't usually read up on food science.
April 6, 2017
At first I thought it was going to be a kids book, but I still though I could learn a few interesting things. It turned out to have some pretty intense scientific information.
I ended up learning quite a few things, but the one that is going to stick with me FOREVER! is that guacamole roughly translates to "testicle soup"
I ended up learning quite a few things, but the one that is going to stick with me FOREVER! is that guacamole roughly translates to "testicle soup"
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews