6 Types Of Food That May Cause An Unpleasant Body Odor

Every person has a specific body smell which is, to a great extent, defined by genetics, overall health, and of course, personal hygiene. However, food and drinks can also heavily influence our body’s odor. According to the Mayo Clinic, ingredients such as garlic and onion contain vaporizing sulfur substances that get released through the sweat. After digestion, they are absorbed in the blood and in the lungs, giving the body an unpleasant odor. Therefore, in order to be certain that the food you eat will help you smell nice, avoid the following ingredients:

Alcohol

A glass of wine or beer from time to time will not cause an unpleasant odor; however, it can lead to unpleasant breath the next morning, if you have drunk couple of glasses the previous night. Most of the alcohol you drink is metabolized in the liver, but one part is also released through the sweat and the respiratory system. So, if you have exaggerated with alcohol, you will not only have a bad breath, but the odor may get released through your pores.

Asparagus

After consuming asparagus, the urine can have a different odor. It is considered that this smell comes from the digestion of mercaptan- the sulfur component that dissolves into aroma compounds. A study from 2010 showed that some of the participants did not have a specific odor in the urine since they lacked the enzyme gene responsible for disintegration of the vegetables to its aroma compounds.

Coffee

Your favorite morning drink does not only activate brain function, thanks to the caffeine, but it also activates the sweat glands. Moreover, caffeine is a diuretic that can lead to dry mouth suitable for bacteria spread.

Curry and cumin

Spices like curry and cumin make certain foods more delicious, but they can also interfere with the natural smell of the body, as they can remain in the pores for days. According to the Berkley Wellness of UC Berkley, if a mother’s prenatal nutrition includes a lot of spices, the newborn’s smell could be altered.

Red meat

According to a research from 2006, published in the journal Chemical Senses, the participants who did not consume meat had a significantly more pleasant and less intensive natural body smell, unlike the participants who ate red meat. This is due to the fact that meat needs more time to pass through the digestive system, thus, leading to bad odor of the sweat, breath, as well as poor digestion.

Lack of leafy vegetables

Leafy vegetables are not only excellent for your health, but also for your body smell. As pointed out by the Linus Pauling Institute of the Oregon State University, the chlorophyll in plants was used orally as an ‘internal deodorant’ for wounds in the 40’s and 50’s. Therefore, a nutrition rich in leafy vegetables, like spinach, is excellent for prevention of bad smell of the body.