Asparagus Side Effects

Here are the key points about the potential side effects of asparagus:

• Eating asparagus can cause urine to have a strong, unpleasant odor. This is a harmless side effect caused by a sulfur compound called methyl mercaptan that is produced when asparagus is metabolized.

• Asparagus may cause allergic reactions in some people, especially those allergic to other members of the lily family like onions, garlic, and chives. Symptoms can include a runny nose, hives, trouble breathing, and swelling around the mouth and lips.

• There is not enough reliable information to know if asparagus is safe when used in larger medicinal amounts. Consuming asparagus in food amounts is likely safe, but taking concentrated extracts may have unknown risks.

• Asparagus extracts have been used as a folk remedy for birth control, so they may affect hormone levels. Pregnant women should avoid medicinal doses of asparagus, as it could potentially cause harm.

• Breastfeeding women should also stick to food amounts of asparagus, as the safety of extracts is unknown.

• Asparagus contains a carbohydrate called raffinose that can cause gas and bloating in some people as it is broken down.

Asparagus is generally safe to eat as a vegetable, but concentrated extracts may have side effects and should be used cautiously, especially by pregnant women. Allergic reactions and digestive issues like gas are possible in some individuals.