/oss/taxonomy/term/366/all en /oss/article/food-health-history/s-methylthioacrylate-and-s-methyl-3-methylthiothiopropionate-and-asparagus <p style="text-align:justify">Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable. Both in taste and in its chemistry. One aspect of its chemistry has been apparent for a long time. A French book on food published in 1702 noted that asparagus causes a filthy and disagreeable smell in the urine. Benjamin Franklin had also observed that a few stems of asparagus gave urine an unpleasant fragrance.</p> Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:45:20 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1953 at /oss /oss/article/cancer-controversial-science-food-health-you-asked/can-asparagus-be-treatment-cancer <p style="text-align:justify">What makes people believe the unbelievable? Sometimes it’s desperation. Sometimes it’s wishful thinking about simple answers for complex problems. Sometimes it is blind trust in the untrustworthy. But most often it is a lack of sufficient scientific background needed to evaluate an idea or a claim. Let’s look at a specific example. For years a claim that asparagus can cure cancer has been making the rounds. Sounds so simple and seductive. All you need to do is puree cooked asparagus in a blender and give the patient four tablespoons twice daily.</p> Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:32:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1586 at /oss