Instant Alert: Why asparagus makes pee smell funny, and other amazing facts about everyday foods and spices

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   Why asparagus makes pee smell funny, and other amazing facts about everyday foods and spices by Jessica Orwig on Nov 27, 2015, 1:00 PM Advertisement Do you know which popular holiday spice can help soothe a toothache? Or why chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats? By digging deep into the molecular chemistry of everyday foods and spices, Cambridge-based chemistry teacher Andy Brunning has the answers. And you don't have to be a chemistry-expert to understand them. Brunning heads the popular science website Compound Interest and recently published the book "Why Does Asparagus Make Your Wee Smell?: And 57 other curious food and drink questions." Here are 15 of Brunning's amazing graphics about the chemistry of asparagus, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, and much more: CHECK OUT: Humans are just starting to understand the octopus, and it's mind blowing UP NEXT: Leading Harvard physicist has a radical new theory for why humans exist When your doctor says don't eat grapefruit, she means it! Grapefruit contains compounds that can prevent your body from breaking down certain medications, including some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, like Lipitor, and some antihistamines, like Allegra. Additional source: FDA Clove oil is rich in a compound called eugenol, which has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can ease dental pain. Leaves from the coriander plant are a popular ingredient in Indian cuisine. But the leaves can sometimes taste soapy. That's because they contain similar aldehyde compounds found in many soaps and lotions. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011