Have you ever gone to the bathroom and noticed that your urine smells a bit like chicken soup? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Many people have reported this unusual symptom, leaving them wondering what could be causing their pee to have such a distinct broth-like aroma
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons behind urine that smells like chicken soup, when you should see a doctor, and how to prevent this symptom from occurring.
What Causes Chicken Soup Scented Urine?
There are a few key culprits that could result in your urine smelling like chicken broth:
1. Diet
One of the most common reasons for chicken soup pee is your diet. Eating a lot of foods high in protein, like meats, eggs, and beans, can cause your urine to have a more concentrated, broth-like smell as your body metabolizes and then excretes those proteins.
Specific foods known for affecting urine odor include
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Garlic
- Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower
- Coffee
- B vitamins
Consuming these foods, especially in large amounts, can give your pee a sulfuric, garlicky, or otherwise strong scent. The smell is generally temporary and goes away after digesting.
2. Dehydration
When you’re dehydrated, your body tries to conserve water by producing less urine. The less water in your pee, the more concentrated it becomes. This leads to dark, strong-smelling urine that can smell like chicken broth.
Drinking enough fluids dilutes your urine and prevents that concentrated odor. Target around eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, more if you’re active or in hot environments.
3. Medications and Supplements
Certain medications and supplements, especially vitamins B6 and B12, can lead to changes in urine odor as they get filtered out by your kidneys. Antibiotics like amoxicillin can also cause temporary urine scent changes.
If you recently started a new medication and notice odd pee smells, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether that’s a potential side effect.
4. Metabolic Disorders
Issues with your metabolism, like diabetes or liver disease, can also affect the way your urine smells. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to excess sugar in urine, giving it a sweet, fruity odor. Liver disease causes buildup of waste products in urine.
Maple syrup urine disease, a genetic disorder where the body can’t break down certain amino acids, makes urine smell like maple syrup. Any distinct urine smells could signal something amiss, so talk to your doctor.
5. Urinary Tract Infection
UTIs occur when bacteria get into your urethra and multiply in the bladder. This infection can make your urine take on a foul, pungent smell. Along with the urine odor, other UTI symptoms include:
- Burning sensation when peeing
- Constant urge to urinate
- Passing only small amounts of urine
- Pelvic pain
- Blood in urine
See your doctor ASAP if a UTI is suspected, as prompt antibiotic treatment helps avoid complications.
6. Kidney Disease or Kidney Stones
Kidney issues like chronic kidney disease and kidney stones also cause urine odor changes. With kidney disease, unhealthy kidneys allow more waste products to accumulate in your urine. Kidney stones are salt and mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can add a foul scent to pee.
See your doctor if you have symptoms like kidney pain, frequent urination, nausea, or blood in urine along with the smell.
When to See a Doctor About Chicken Soup Urine
Temporary urine scent changes after eating certain foods are usually harmless and go away quickly. But when should you seek medical advice about long-lasting chicken broth pee?
See your doctor if you have:
- Persistent urine odor changes lasting more than a day or two
- Dark, concentrated, strong-smelling urine even when well hydrated
- Urine that smells sweet or fruity
- Urine that smells foul or pungent
- Other symptoms like pain or stinging when peeing, needing to pee frequently, or seeing blood in your urine
- Known health conditions like diabetes or kidney disease
Getting checked out helps identify any underlying medical causes requiring treatment. Prompt diagnosis of infections like UTIs prevents complications.
How to Prevent Chicken Soup Scented Urine
While you can’t always control urine smells, you can take steps to keep your pee fresh and minimize odd odors:
-
Drink plenty of fluids – Proper hydration dilutes urine so it’s not overly concentrated or smelly.
-
Eat a balanced diet – Limit foods known to stink up pee if smells bother you.
-
Take medications as prescribed – Prevent UTIs and other complications by adhering to your treatment regimen.
-
Practice good hygiene – Wipe front to back, urinate after sex, and avoid products that irritate your urethra.
-
Check urine regularly – Note any odd smells, darkness, cloudiness that could indicate an issue.
-
Get routine checkups – Your doctor can check for any underlying conditions causing urine odor changes.
When to Worry About Chicken Soup Scented Pee
While urine that smells like chicken broth or soup can be alarming, in many cases it’s just a temporary nuisance caused by your latest meals. But if the scent persists or occurs alongside other urinary symptoms, it warrants medical attention.
Trust your instincts – you know your body best. If something seems off or you have any concerns about your health, don’t hesitate to get checked out. Diagnosing and promptly treating the underlying cause can help restore normal, odor-free urine.
Fruity or sweet-smelling pee
Pee with a sugary or fruity fragrance can serve as a warning sign of diabetes or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), says Dr. Bajic. The sweet smell comes from your body unloading excess glucose, or sugars.
In children, particularly newborns, sweet-smelling tinkle might indicate maple syrup urine disease. This rare, life-threatening metabolic disorder prevents the body from breaking down specific amino acids found in food.
The underlying message here? Urine that smells sweet shouldn’t be ignored. Check in with a healthcare provider.
There are plenty of innocuous reasons for pee to have notes of sulfur, like asparagus, garlic or onions. But if you haven’t had those foods, foul-smelling urine could indicate one of two rare metabolic disorders.
Trimethylaminuria, also known as TAMU or fish odor syndrome, is a rare condition in which your body is unable to process trimethylamine — which, as it happens, is a particularly stinky chemical. The unfortunate result: Pee, breath and sweat that smells like, you guessed it: rotting fish. This condition can be inherited or acquired. While it’s an unpleasant condition, it isn’t especially dangerous.
The opposite is true of tyrosinemia, which has three distinct types (type I, II and III). Infants with this (extremely rare) genetic disorder can’t break down an amino acid called tyrosine, which is foundational to most proteins. The resulting tyrosine buildup can cause a wide range of severe complications. Tyrosinemia is exceedingly rare, but if your infant’s urine is foul-smelling, you should talk to your baby’s pediatrician anyway, just to be safe.
Pee that smells like ammonia
If you detect a hint of ammonia in your urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The odor suggests that bacteria may be swimming around in your urinary system, most likely in your urethra, kidneys or bladder.
Urine showing signs of a UTI may also be cloudy or even a bit bloody. Peeing may become painful, too — a symptom made even worse by the fact that you may feel the need to urinate more often. A fever and mental confusion are other telltale accompanying signs.
If you have multiple symptoms, schedule a visit with a healthcare provider.
UTIs are pretty common, sending approximately 10 million Americans to a healthcare provider every year for antibiotic treatment, says Dr. Bajic. Women and older adults are more prone to getting the infection.
Other potential causes of urine that carry the whiff of ammonia include:
An ammonia-like odor can also be linked to dehydration and certain foods and vitamins. So, if the smell pops up and disappears quickly, there’s little reason for concern. But if it lingers, get checked by a medical professional.
Pee Smells Bad? What Causes Strong Stinky Odor After Urination? – Dr. Berg
FAQ
What causes urine to smell like chicken noodle soup?
Key Takeaways. People with lupus often notice unusual urine smells like chicken broth, ammonia, or fruity odors. Your urine’s smell can indicate important health concerns, as lupus nephritis affects nearly half of adults with lupus and can damage the kidneys’ ability to filter waste properly.
Why does my pee kinda smell like chicken?
Many variables can affect the color and smell. While it’s widely known asparagus can cause your urine to smell, other foods rich in vitamin B such as salmon, chicken, turkey, and beef can also cause a funky smell. Broccoli, onions, garlic, and coffee are additional culprits.
Why does down there smell like chicken noodle soup?
A sulfury, chicken-like odor is also linked to sweat’s interaction with skin bacteria. This may be more noticeable after sex because you’ve just got hot and sweaty.
What does kidney failure pee smell like?
Why does my urine smell like chicken noodle soup?
**What are some foods that can cause urine to smell like chicken noodle soup?** Certain foods, such as asparagus, onions, and garlic, can cause changes in the odor of urine. These foods contain compounds that are expelled through the urine, affecting its smell. Additionally, consuming large amounts of these foods can lead to a stronger odor.
Why does my urine smell like chicken broth?
Let’s get right to it. The scent of your urine might remind you of a warm bowl of chicken broth due to a blend of dietary choices, hydration levels, and potentially certain health issues. But before you hop to conclusions, it’s essential to understand that occasional changes in urine smell, albeit perplexing, are usually no cause for alarm.
Why does my urine smell like soup?
Some foods, such as asparagus, can cause a distinctive odor in urine, while others, like onions or garlic, can also contribute to changes in urine odor. If you’ve recently consumed foods with strong flavors or aromas, it’s possible that these are the cause of the soup-like smell in your urine.
Why does my urine smell so bad?
For example, eating foods with a strong odor, such as asparagus or certain spices, can affect the way your urine smells. In some cases, consuming large amounts of certain foods, such as onions or garlic, can also lead to a change in urine odor. Additionally, dehydration can lead to concentrated urine, which may have a stronger smell.
Why does my urine smell like rotten eggs?
You may notice your urine smells like sulfur or rotten eggs after eating those foods. A recent seafood meal can lead to a fishy or foul-smelling odor. Some antibiotics, immunosuppressants (medications that calm an overactive immune system), diabetes drugs, and vitamins also contain sulfur-related compounds that give urine a particular scent.
Why does my urine smell like lupus nephritis?
Certain waste products, glucose (your body’s preferred form of sugar), and other substances can all affect urine’s smell. Here are four urine odors you may notice while living with lupus nephritis. Some may be related to your disease, while others may be due to diet and taking certain medications. 1. Chicken Broth or Chicken Soup