Researchers looked at data from over 6,900 people and found that only 40 percent of participants could smell asparagus in their urine.
The researchers identified 871 variants in multiple genes which are associated with smell and the ability or inability to detect the smell of asparagus in urine.
The authors explained, “[The] findings present candidate genes of interest for future research on the structure and function of olfactory (sense of smell) receptors and on the compounds responsible for the distinctive odor produced by asparagus metabolites. Future replication studies are necessary before considering targeted therapies to help anosmic people discover what they are missing.”
Women were less likely to report smelling asparagus in urine either as a result of being modest or due to their position while peeing.