Urine usually smells mild, but various factors can cause it to smell different. There are various reasons for pee smelling like popcorn, such as consuming a lot of protein, having diabetes, being dehydrated, and more.

Common causes of urine with a popcorn-like smell include diabetes, pregnancy, and a high protein diet.

This article discusses some reasons a person’s urine may smell like popcorn and explains when to see a doctor about changes in urine odor.

You may worry if your urine smells like popcorn, but it isn’t uncommon, and most often, the odor change is temporary.

However, if the smell persists, it is worth seeing a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

Urine is mainly water. When it looks or smells different than usual, it is due to waste products produced by the body. The look and smell of urine can tell doctors a lot about a person’s health.

Common reasons for urine to smell like popcorn include:

Diabetes

People with diabetes may have a very high level of ketones in their bloodstream. When the body excretes these in urine, they can make it smell like popcorn. A high level of ketones in the urine or blood indicates a metabolic state known as ketosis.

The body produces ketones when it does not have enough glucose for fuel. This might happen overnight or when a person is fasting.

Having a small amount of ketones in the bloodstream is normal, especially for people who exercise a lot or do other activities that encourage the body to burn fat. However, if a person with diabetes has unmanaged blood sugar levels, a dangerously high level of ketones can build up in their blood.

This life threatening metabolic state is called ketoacidosis, and it requires immediate medical attention. For some people, it is the first sign that they have diabetes.

In most cases, ketoacidosis causes sweet, strong-smelling urine. Ketoacidosis can develop within 24 hours of having consistently high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia).

It is possible to measure urinary ketones using ketone strips, which are available in drugstores or online.

Additional signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency, so if you have symptoms of this, call the emergency services immediately.

Other causes of ketoacidosis are starvation and chronic, excessive alcohol use.

Eating a lot of protein

Another cause of ketosis is eating a lot of protein. When a person eats a lot of protein instead of carbohydrates, their body uses protein and stored fat for energy instead of using carbohydrates as it would usually do.

As a result, the ketone level in the blood will rise. When these ketones are excreted in the urine, the urine may smell sweet or popcorn-like.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the smell of urine may change for a few reasons, including:

  • Altered sense of smell: As a person’s sense of smell changes slightly during pregnancy, everyday scents may smell different than usual.
  • Hormonal changes: In the very early stages of pregnancy, increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) circulate in the blood, which can cause urine to smell different or more strongly.
  • Gestational diabetes: Research suggests that in the United States, about 1 in 13 pregnant people older than 20 years develop a form of temporary diabetes known as gestational diabetes. Ketoacidosis is a serious but rare complication in those with gestational diabetes.

Dehydration

When someone is dehydrated, the body excretes less water in the urine. As a result, the urine is more concentrated, darker, and stronger smelling than usual. If the waste products in urine have a popcorn smell, the urine may also smell like popcorn once it is more concentrated.

Aside from strong-smelling urine, other symptoms of dehydration include:

Individuals usually do not need to worry if their urine smells a bit different than usual for a day or two.

However, if urine smells sweet, like popcorn, for several days, speak with a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

In particular, people who have diabetes or are pregnant should talk with a doctor about any changes in the smell of their urine, especially if it is strong and sweet smelling.

Urine with a popcorn-like scent is typically due to dietary factors or dehydration and is not usually a cause for concern.

However, if the smell persists for more than a few days and changes in diet do not help, it is best to visit a doctor.

Pregnant people and those with diabetes or other symptoms of diabetes should speak with a doctor if they notice the smell. In these circumstances, popcorn-scented urine may be a sign of a serious medical issue.