Asparagus can sometimes make urine smell strangely because of the compound mercaptan which can also be found in other foods such as eggs, garlic, and onions along with the secretions given off by skunks. When the substance is broken down during the digestive process the smell becomes very distinct during urination.

Although not everyone who eats asparagus will experience this strange smell while urinating, some people do and it is certainly no cause for alarm. The reason that this does not happen to everyone is because only certain people have the right gene for the enzyme which is responsible for breaking down the mercaptan compound.