7 UNEXPECTED FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE BODY ODOR

7 UNEXPECTED FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE BODY ODOR

“You are what you eat” – we’ve all heard this saying, but when it comes to your diet, what you eat can be a determining factor on whether or not you will smell more during the day. While this popular saying is often referring to eating healthier options, there are foods, even healthy ones, that can cause body odor. Everyone experiences body odor to some level as our bodies are incredibly complex, however if it’s a concern for you, knowing which foods can cause body odor and minimizing how much of them you eat can greatly improve body odor. Read on to the end for a hygiene routine that will also help you manage body odor while indulging in these foods.
brassica vegetables - foods that cause body odor

1. CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES

Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and Brussel sprouts are all considered cruciferous vegetables, part of the Brassicafamily. These vegetables are incredibly nutritious, containing high levels of fibre and vitamins and are linked to reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, and are being studied for their role in cancer prevention. 

They can cause body odor due to the sulfur-containing compounds (glucosinolates) released during digestion and secreted through sweat. They can also cause pungent breath and, you guessed it… gas.  

Instead of cutting them out completely, merely reduce the amount you eat or parboil them before to eating to still get those incredible nutritional benefits while reduce odor-causing compounds. 

2. ALLIUM VEGETABLES

Though the term “allium vegetables” may be lesser known when compared to “cruciferous vegetables”, they are some of the most commonly eaten vegetables: garlic, onions, leeks, chives and scallions. Like cruciferous vegetables, they contain a high sulfuric acid content and thus contribute to body odor. Cooking these vegetables before eating can help cut down some of their odor-causing properties.
@madamesweat

Don’t drink this if you are sweaty. #coffee #caffeine #sweat #odor #sweatyperson #bodytemperature #hotflash #hotflashes #sweaty

♬ Kaala Chasma Viral Trending Song - Kinston

3. CAFFEINE

Coffee, tea, chocolate and other caffeine-containing foods and drinks could very well be causing increased body odor. This is because caffeine is a stimulant and can accelerate the central nervous system functions which increases apocrine gland activity (leading to sweating), that can cause increased body odor. If you are like many of us and can’t give up that morning coffee, try to limit it to two cups a day to reduce the effect on the body. 

4. TOMATOES

A study published in Medical Hypotheses suggested tomatoes can be the cause of underarm odor. Apocrine glands in the armpits excrete terpenes which is what commonly causes armpit odor. Tomatoes are likely to be the main source of dietary terpenes, so if you struggle with body odor and consume many tomato-based foods, it could be worth limiting your intake to see if it helps improve body odor.   

5. RED MEAT

In 2006, the University of Liverpool conducted a study to evaluate how red meat impacted body odor. The results showed that the red meat diet smelled more intense and less pleasant than those who did not consume meat. Since red meat is so fatty, it is harder for the body to digest properly and as a result, it leaves behind a residue in the digestive tract. This residue interacts with bacteria in the digestive tract, which produces fatty acids that are then released out of the body through the form of pungent-smelling sweat or gas. You can read more on this here. 

spices - foods that cause body odor

6. PUNGENT SPICES

Cumin, fenugreek (used in curries), chili and other pungent spices can end up causing your sweat to smell as their odor tends to be released through your pores as the body digests them. Additionally, spicy foods increase your sweat levels and can also contribute to body odor. Reduce the amount of foods you eat that contain these spices to help manage body odor. 

7. SEAFOOD

Seafood can contribute to body odor in two ways. Firstly, if you tend to notice a fishy smell after eating seafood, you may have a condition called trimethylaminuria (fishy odor syndrome) which prevents the body from breaking down trimethylamine which is often found in seafood, and shellfish. If you suspect this is the case, seek the advice of your doctor. 

The second way seafood can contribute to body odor is from fish oil. Fish and fish oil supplements contain a vitamin called choline which creates that fishy smell and can stay in our body for up to a day afterwards, and come out in sweat. 

Back to blog