Nutrition experts recommend five foods to help freshen body odor and reduce bad smells.
Herbs and Plants These herbs contain antioxidants that can kill bacteria that cause bad odor. Furthermore, these herbs have a unique property as they contain essential oils with a distinctive aroma.
Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, cashews, flax seeds, and walnuts contain zinc, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and polyphenols. These components affect skin lipids, the microbial balance, and the oxidative state, which in turn affects body odor. Zinc reduces body odor by maintaining skin health and balance, neutralizing sulfuric odors, and reducing bacterial activity. Fennel seeds, however, have a special ability to clean teeth, rinse the mouth, and improve overall body odor.
Foods to Avoid Experts advise avoiding excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and following low-fiber diets, as they affect digestion and lead to fermentation, which reflects on body odor. Additionally, some foods like fatty meats, onions, and garlic can cause foul-smelling sweat.
According to nutrition experts, regular consumption of fruits and vegetables and limiting meat and fat intake helps improve body odor.
Apples Megan Roo, a nutritionist, says that apples contain antioxidants that act as natural body cleansers, killing bacteria in the teeth, especially when eating fresh apples and chewing them instead of eating applesauce or drinking juice. This helps get rid of bad breath and freshen it up.
Oranges Numerous studies have shown that a higher level of carotenoids in the skin is associated with a more attractive, floral, fruity, and sweet body odor. Oranges and lemons contain acidic properties that kill bacteria that cause bad breath and gas, according to Roo.
Plain Yogurt Regular consumption of plain yogurt, rich in probiotics, supports the gut's microbial balance, meaning less production of foul odors. A systematic review of clinical trials found that probiotics, found in plain yogurt, reduce bad breath and help control the growth of oral bacteria.
Fresh Herbs Consumption of fresh herbs such as basil, rosemary, mint, and parsley.
