By Sara Scheler
January 28, 2014
Food Funkies
Let’s be honest, food is weird. Here are some of the funkiest food facts you have ever heard:
You may have heard that asparagus makes your pee smell. Scientists propose two theories to this phenomenon—the compounds in asparagus react in some people, causing their urine to have an off odor. What is even stranger is that only some people have the nasal receptors to smell this odor. So, if this happens to you, you are one of the lucky ones who can both produce and sense asparagus-induced urine stink. If not, don’t worry, you just have different genes. It happens to the best of us.
Raw green potatoes contain a natural defensive toxin called solanine and should not be consumed. This food cannot be digested in the small intestine and instead moves to the large intestine, where it is fermented, releasing all sorts of undesirable gasses.
Chocolate can actually cause acid reflux (commonly called heartburn.) The relaxing properties of chocolate can also relax the muscle that joins your stomach and esophagus, causing food to back up in the wrong places and cause discomfort. So, if you are debating whether or not to eat that piece of double-chocolate cake right before bed, DON’T.
Soy milk can cause gynecomastia, otherwise referred to as man-boobs. Some men trying out a lactose-free diet or trying to bulk up with protein shakes found bulking happening in unforeseen areas. Soy products contain the female hormone estrogen, which is also present in males but should be at a much lower level. No need to freak out, though. Patients with this undesirable outcome consumed large amounts of soy products (12 cups per day.)
Raw cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale) contain a substance that can aggravate thyroid problems, inhibit iodine absorption, and cause goiter. So, cook those veggies!