What You Eat Actually Affects How You Smell

Posted by Nabirong

When it comes to body odour (and yes, attractiveness), your diet plays a role — not just hygiene, hormones or genetics. In fact, scientists say your unique scent emerges from the interplay of food, gut bacteria, skin chemistry and sweat. (SAMAA TV)

The Science of Smell: How Diet Influences Body Odour

Your body odour is shaped by multiple factors you can’t control (age, hormones, genetics) — but also by the food you can control. (QOSHE)
Two main routes for diet affecting smell:
1. Gastrointestinal route: Foods are digested, bacteria in the gut release volatile compounds, some of which are excreted via breath or sweat. (QOSHE)
2. Skin route: Food-derived molecules enter the bloodstream, are excreted via sweat glands, mix with skin bacteria → distinct body odours. (SAMAA TV)
Many “unpleasant smell” foods contain high levels of sulfurous compounds (e.g., garlic, onions, cruciferous vegetables) — sulfur often equals strong scent. (Cleveland Clinic)
Interestingly: some foods traditionally seen as “bad for odour” might enhance attractiveness of scent, according to limited research. (DongA Science)

Foods That Tend to Increase Body Odour

Here are some common culprits:

Garlic & Onions (Allium family): These contain sulfur-rich compounds that travel through your bloodstream and skin, contributing to stronger odour. (Cleveland Clinic)
Spices (e.g., curry, cumin, fenugreek): Volatile compounds in these spices linger on skin, hair and clothes; they may also increase sweating. (Cleveland Clinic)
Red Meat: According to one expert, proteins from red meat can release odourless materials which, when mixed with skin bacteria, intensify into strong odour. (Cleveland Clinic)
Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower): These release sulfur when digested — leading to stronger sweat/breath/gas odours for some people. (Cleveland Clinic)
Asparagus: Metabolised into sulfur-rich compounds that can make urine (and sometimes breath/sweat) smell strong. (Cleveland Clinic)
Alcohol: Metabolised into acetic acid and other compounds, which can be excreted through breath and skin — contributing to undesirable odour. (Cleveland Clinic)

Foods (and Habits) That May Improve How You Smell

While more research is needed, some diet patterns seem to align with better-rated scent:

A diet richer in fruits and vegetables: One study found men who consumed more of them had sweat rated as “sweeter, more floral, more pleasant.” (SAMAA TV)
Garlic, paradoxically: In research from Charles University, men who consumed more garlic had sweat rated as more attractive by women. The theory: garlic’s antioxidant/antimicrobial effects may influence scent. (DongA Science)
Hydration and probiotic-rich foods: While not emphasised in all sources, some note that better hydration (flushing out odour-producing compounds) and probiotic foods supporting gut health may help moderate scent. (Fox News)

Practical Tips: How to Manage Diet-Related Body Odour

Be mindful of high-sulfur foods (garlic, onions, certain veggies) if you’re concerned about odour, but don’t avoid them entirely — they have nutritional benefits.
When eating spices or heavy proteins, ensure good hygiene: regular showering, antibacterial soap in key sweat zones (armpits, groin) help control bacteria + smell. (Cleveland Clinic)
Choose breathable fabrics (cotton, linen) especially in warm/humid climates to reduce sweat-bacteria interaction. (Cleveland Clinic)
Stay well-hydrated — this supports natural flushing of compounds and reduces odour intensity. (Fox News)
If you notice a sudden change in body odour, it could reflect diet and other factors (hormones, medical conditions) — consider speaking with a healthcare professional.

Takeaway

Your diet doesn’t just make you feel good or affect your health — it plays a measurable role in your natural scent. While wearing deodorant and maintaining hygiene remain key, tweaking what you eat offers another lever for controlling how you smell (and how others may perceive your scent). Balanced nutrition — plenty of fruits/vegetables, mindful of heavy sulfur-rich/fatty or processed foods — supports both health and a fresher natural scent.

Diet & Body Odour — English Quiz

Reading comprehension, vocabulary & grammar — based on an article about how different foods influence body odour.

Questions

No.	Question
1	Which two main routes did the article say food uses to change body odour? a) Respiratory and circulatory b) Gastrointestinal and skin c) Nervous system and endocrine d) Lymphatic and skeletal
2	Sulfur-rich foods are often associated with a stronger smell. Which is NOT an example? a) Apples b) Garlic c) Onions d) Broccoli
3	According to the article, which food was paradoxically linked with a more attractive body scent in a study? a) Red meat b) Alcohol c) Garlic d) Asparagus
4	Which practical tip did the article recommend to manage diet-related body odour? a) Avoid fruits completely b) Stay hydrated c) Wear only synthetic fabrics d) Stop showering after meals
5	What role do skin bacteria play in body odour according to the article? a) They remove all odour completely b) They prevent sweat production c) They make skin dry d) They mix with sweat and food-derived compounds to produce odour
6	Which beverage did the article list as a contributor to stronger body odour? a) Water b) Green tea c) Alcohol d) Milk
7	Which food is known to produce a distinctive smell in urine and sometimes breath due to its metabolites? a) Rice b) Asparagus c) Bananas d) Bread
8	The article suggested that a diet higher in which group was associated with a sweeter or more pleasant scent? a) Fruits and vegetables b) Processed fast food c) Deep-fried snacks d) High sugar desserts
9	Which statement is TRUE based on the article? a) Only genetics determine body odour b) Wearing perfume removes the need for hygiene c) Drinking less water always improves scent d) Diet is one of several factors that influence how you smell
10	If someone notices a sudden change in body odour, the article advises they should: a) Immediately stop eating any carbs b) Consider diet and other factors and possibly consult a healthcare professional c) Assume it is always caused by garlic d) Ignore it because it will always go away
11	Complete the sentence (grammar): The body odour _______ (change) after the dietary shift. a) changes b) changed c) will change d) changing
12	Choose passive form: Many odour-producing compounds _______ (excrete) via sweat glands. a) are excreted b) excreted c) excreting d) will excrete
13	Vocabulary: What does ‘volatile’ most nearly mean in the phrase “volatile compounds”? a) Stable b) Easily evaporated or changeable c) Heavy d) Invisible
14	Modal verb: If you visit a nutritionist, you _______ discuss foods that affect your scent. a) must b) can c) might d) shouldn't
15	Bonus (writing): Write one sentence explaining one diet change that could help someone reduce unpleasant body odour.

Answers & Explanations

No.	Answer & Explanation
1	b) Gastrointestinal and skin Explanation: The article describes food compounds affecting scent via digestion/gut bacteria and via bloodstream to the skin where sweat/bacteria produce odour.
2	a) Apples Explanation: Apples are not sulfur-rich; garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables contain sulfur compounds linked to stronger odours.
3	c) Garlic Explanation: Some studies paradoxically found garlic consumption associated with sweat rated more attractive in certain contexts.
4	b) Stay hydrated Explanation: Hydration helps flush odour-producing compounds; other tips include good hygiene and breathable fabrics.
5	d) They mix with sweat and food-derived compounds to produce odour Explanation: Skin bacteria break down sweat and food-derived molecules, generating characteristic body smells.
6	c) Alcohol Explanation: Alcohol is metabolised into compounds excreted through breath and skin that can contribute to odour.
7	b) Asparagus Explanation: Asparagus metabolites can make urine—and sometimes breath or sweat—smell distinctive.
8	a) Fruits and vegetables Explanation: Diets higher in fruits and vegetables were linked in studies to a sweeter, more pleasant scent.
9	d) Diet is one of several factors that influence how you smell Explanation: Genetics, hormones, hygiene and diet all affect body odour together.
10	b) Consider diet and other factors and possibly consult a healthcare professional Explanation: Sudden changes in odour could be dietary or medical—consultation may be appropriate.
11	a) changes Explanation: Present simple 'changes' fits the general truth statement in this context.
12	a) are excreted Explanation: Passive present 'are excreted' correctly describes how compounds are released via sweat glands.
13	b) Easily evaporated or changeable Explanation: 'Volatile' means readily vaporized or changeable in this chemical/scent context.
14	b) can Explanation: 'Can' expresses possibility or ability to discuss foods affecting scent; it's the best fit here.
15	Example answer: “I would reduce garlic and red meat while increasing fruits and vegetables to help lower unpleasant body odour.”