The reason pee smells like popcorn is usually having a high level of ketones. Ketones are chemicals made in your liver when your body is using fat to compensate for the lack of carbohydrates or glucose your body can use for energy. Your body expels ketones through urine, and that’s what you’re smelling.

High levels of ketones are seen in people with diabetes who can’t process glucose well, or people who eat too more protein and less carbohydrate that forces their body to go on ketosis (body using fat for energy) – either way, your pee smell like urine because of dietary factors, even dehydration.

If you’re usually healthy and this happens on a rare occasion, then it’s not a cause for concern. But if you have a medical condition like diabetes, you’re pregnant, or your pee smells like popcorn often, it’s best to seek medical advice.