We all know how garlic or onion can affect one’s breath? Right? Not exactly a pleasant experience. However, it’s not only them that can cause a bad odor. Foods like fish, red meat and certain spices can also spice up one’s body odor…and not in the best way.

Sweat is closely connected to body odor and body odor is tied to what you eat. Your underarms and even groin area can smell, well, differently, after you consume certain foods such as garlic bread, onion soup or cayenne peppers. The explanation is that the sweat glands, which are ties to your hair follicles, control areas such as the armpits. When sweat is formed in these areas, the bacteria on the surface of your skin mingles with perspiration from the apocrine glands, and the result is that pungent odor that nobody likes. The whiff can become even stronger if your diet includes spicy or sulfur-rich foods.

To avoid becoming a walking dumpster, here is a list of 7 foods that can affect the way your body smells and what to do to reduce their “stinky” effects as much as possible, as recommended by gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD.

What foods affect your body odor?

As explained by specialists, the foods with the highest effect on one’s body odor are those with high levels of sulfuric acid. They can quickly change your scent from wow to eww.

Spices

Spices such as cumin, curry, fenugreek can cause quite a stir. Not only can these spices last on your teeth and tongue for hours but they can also make your hair, skin and clothes smell bad. Not to mention that such spices contain volatile compounds which can reach your bloodstream and turn your sweat into a very spice-specific one.

You can tell, from a mile away, who’s been overreacting with the spices and who hasn’t.

Garlic and onion

Everyone knows that eating onion can leave you with a really bad breath. But your mouth is not the only one affected by onions. Your metabolism and sweat can also take a punch. According to Dr. Lee, the bacteria on your skin mixes with the sweat released by the apocrine glands, and there you have it…your very own onion-scented perfume.

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Red meat

If steak is among your favorite foods, then you should know it might be the culprit behind your inexplicable bad odor. When you consume red meat, proteins are released through sweat. And, as explained by Dr. Lee, “when these proteins mingle with skin bacteria, their odor intensifies”. You won’t stink as bad as you do from onions or garlic, but it won’t be pleasant for someone sitting next to you.

Cruciferous veggies

Not only red meat is responsible for your stronger whiff. Veggies and sides can also cause unpleasant odors. That’s because cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower contain and release sulfuric acid. The smell grows stronger with the “help” of sweat and breath.

Asparagus

If you’re a fan of asparagus, then you might have seen what it does to your urine. When your body digests the asparagusic acid, it converts it into sulfuric acid. This means your pee will smell really bad. However, each and every metabolism is different and some might be lucky enough to skip this effect.

In addition, in certain situations, due to genetics, you might not even be able to smell the bad odor. Others, on the other hand, might not be that lucky! So, don’t be surprised if someone no longer wants to sit next to you.

Alcohol

Cocktails on a Friday night or happy hour at work can take a bad turn when it comes to the odors you release. The explanation is that alcohol is turned into acetic acid by your metabolism, which, in turn, is released through your breath and skin pores. And let me tell you, it’s not a good odor!

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Fish

If you’re part of the unlucky ones, and genes are not on your side, then you might be experiencing some fishy smells after consuming fish. In certain cases, seafood byproducts called choline are metabolized into trimethylamine, a compound which gives that fishy odor. Then, it gets released through your breath and skin.

Unfortunately, there are other foods that also affect people with trimethylaminuria. These include beans, cauliflower, broccoli, peanuts and soy-based products. Luckily, only a small percentage of people have this condition, so, you’re probably not going to have any issues with fish and fish-based products.

Don’t let body odor ruin your life!

It’s normal to have a body odor, it’s part of how our bodies work. Sure, a strong body odor might be stressful and might make you feel embarrassed in certain moments. But other people smell too, so, don’t sweat it.

However, if you’ve noticed that you smell more and stronger than you normally do, your diet might have something to do with it. It wouldn’t hurt to take a closer look and your hygiene habits either. Here’s what you can do to decrease bad body odors.

Practice good personal hygiene: Wash, wash and then wash again. The best way to ensure that you smell good is to have a thorough and consistent bathing habit. This includes regular showers and thorough body washing, especially in areas such as the armpits and the groins, which have apocrine glands.

For an even better result, you can use antibacterial soap to eliminate all bacteria on your skin. Also, wash and replace your towels constantly.

Wear breathable clothing: Loose-fitting clothes can make quite a difference when it comes to body odors. Fabrics such as cotton or linen allow your skin to breath and do not amplify your body odor. The same cannot be said about synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon which do not allow sweat to be eliminated properly, trapping skin bacteria and favorizing body smell.

Use antiperspirants and deodorants: Antiperspirants can help you produce less sweat while deodorants can help you mask the smell. Use them freely!

Hydration: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is important for our health, and its positive effects can be seen inside and outside. Water is a great tool to eliminate toxins inside our bodies and reduce body smells. The recommended water intake is minimum 8 glasses of water per day.

Change your diet: If you notice that certain foods are giving you problems with your body odor, a change in your diet may be required. For instance, if you experience bad breath quite often, especially after consuming onion or garlic, it might be a good idea to add them to your foods less frequently. If you’re afraid that your food will not taste the same, you can always include other herbs and spices to add flavor to your meals.

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