We all have body odor that is characteristic of us. There are people who smell better than others and this is mainly due to lifestyle, eating habits and hormones, especially pheromones (pheromones are substances secreted by a person).
Everyone wants to smell good and have a signature scent that they are known for. Bad body odor is not only a sign of poor hygiene, but it can also make you feel bad.
Body odor is emitted from mouth, urine, sweat, skin and other body fluids. The causes of bad body odor are:
Dietary components (such as sugary and processed foods with preservatives and additives)
• Types of bacteria in body fluids
• Dysfunction of liver, intestine and kidney
Foods to help treat body odor
Since diet plays an important role in your body odor, eating certain foods can help.
1. Citrus fruits
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits contain powerful bioactive compounds that are antibiotics, but they also smell good! By killing bad bacteria, citrus fruits can reduce body odor. The body absorbs and emits the natural citrus scents, leaving your skin smelling fresh. In addition, the acids in these fruits make the juice expel toxins that cause unpleasant odors from the body.
How to use:
Prepare a body spray by boiling citrus peels in 1 cup of water.
You can also apply some lemon juice diluted with water directly to your armpits daily to improve your body odor.
2. Fermented foods
Bad body odor can also be due to a decrease in the colony and biodiversity of gut bacteria. Leaky gut is characterized by the movement of digestive metabolites into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall.
Fermented foods such as buttermilk, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and natto contain strains of lactic acid bacteria that can control and improve gut microorganism diversity, reduce the likelihood of leaky gut, and ultimately improve body odor. .
How to use:
Include 1 serving of fermented foods in your daily diet to enjoy their benefits.
3. Green tea
Green tea is full of antioxidants and its polyphenols have anti-odor and anti-bacterial effects. Drinking green tea can also treat bad breath, and applying green tea to the skin (liquid or tea leaf residue) can kill bad bacteria on the skin, thereby reducing body odor.
How to use:
Make a mist by brewing green tea in a cup of water and use it as a natural deodorant.
4. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is another powerful skin care ingredient that has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for years. Coconut oil makes a great natural deodorant that helps your body smell good. Contains lauric acid, a type of fatty acid that can reduce odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, oil pulling using coconut oil can reduce odor-causing bacteria in the mouth that can contribute to halitosis. Consuming coconut oil also supports digestive health, another important ingredient in fighting body odor and bad breath.
How to use:
Apply coconut oil on your armpits as a natural deodorant.
To reduce bad breath, apply 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth like a mouthwash.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary contains compounds that make it a strong antibacterial and antioxidant agent. This means that it not only kills odor-causing bacteria when applied to the skin, but also removes toxins that contribute to bad odor.
Rosemary also protects the liver and improves its function, and since reduced liver function can cause bad breath, rosemary can help.
How to use:
Prepare rosemary tea by brewing 2-3 sprigs in 1 cup of water and drink this tea.
You can also use this tea for topical use (underarms) to reduce body odor.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint leaves contain menthol, a powerful antibacterial agent that can help reduce body odor.
How to use:
Prepare and drink mint tea.
Peppermint can be added to salads or used in toppings and consumed.
7. Sage
Sage is rich in antibacterial agents that reduce body odor. For this reason, it is used in many cosmetic products and natural deodorants.
How to use:
Sage tea or infused water can be used as a deodorizing body spray.
8. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a strong and pleasant aroma and is a preferred flavor in cooking and baking. In addition, it contains antibacterial properties and has a protective effect on the liver. Both of these abilities can make cinnamon a good dietary supplement for eliminating body odor.
How to use:
Cinnamon can be consumed as part of the diet in the form of tea.
Cinnamon can be chewed to freshen the breath.
9. Wheat grass
Wheatgrass is rich in chlorophyll, which acts as a powerful detoxifying agent that removes toxins from the body and reduces body odor. Wheatgrass also helps reduce excessive sweating by balancing the acids and toxins in the blood that cause sweating.
How to use:
Wheatgrass powder is available as a dietary supplement. You can consume it by mixing 1 tablespoon in half a glass of water, fruit juice or smoothie.
10. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil cannot be taken orally, but it is used in many cosmetic products due to its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Its antibacterial nature makes it a useful remedy for body odor by reducing the bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
How to use:
Mix 4-5 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and apply the mixture under your armpits to reduce bad odor.
Homemade deodorant recipe for body odor
You can make your own homemade deodorant by mixing the following ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 4 drops of tea tree oil
• Juice of half a lime
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda or cornstarch (to make everything stick together)
Store the mixture in a small container and use within a week.
Other ways to prevent bad body odor
In addition to eating the foods mentioned above, you can prevent or reduce body odor by following these tips:
• Shower daily and wash your body well. Regular showering helps to eliminate bacteria on the skin.
• Use deodorant or antiperspirant. Deodorants mask body odor, while antiperspirants reduce sweat production.
• Wear clean and dry clothes. Dirty and wet clothes can aggravate body odor.
• Avoid eating foods that cause bad body odor. These foods include: onions, garlic, spicy foods, alcohol and coffee.
• Stay in a cool environment. Excessive sweating can cause bad body odor.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking can cause excessive sweating and bad body odor.
• Consult your doctor if your body odor is severe or is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain.
• Do not use antibacterial soaps. These soaps can also kill the beneficial skin bacteria.
• Use lotions or body oils. These products can help maintain skin moisture and prevent it from drying out.
• If you sweat a lot, use cotton or cotton clothes. These fabrics allow air to pass well and prevent excessive sweating.
By following these tips, you can prevent or reduce bad body odor and feel more confident.
Frequently asked questions about foods to prevent bad body odor
1. Can illness be the cause of bad body odor?
Liver and kidney diseases as well as hypothyroidism may cause excessive sweating. When bacteria settles in this sweat, it can cause bad breath. Therefore, identifying an underlying disease is essential. If you suddenly notice that your sweat smells bad, it could be a sign of poor health. Consult a doctor immediately.
2. What foods should be avoided to prevent bad breath?
Alcohol, red meat, and caffeine can all contribute to body odor. Avoid garlic and onions because they can cause bad breath. Spicy foods and cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli) can also contribute to body odor. Foods high in sugar can also change the composition of sweat, allowing bacteria to grow and cause bad breath.
3. Does eating these foods completely eliminate body odor?
No, eating these foods will not completely eliminate body odor, but it can help reduce it. Other factors also affect body odor, including:
Genetics
Excessive sweating
underlying diseases
Personal hygiene
The kind of clothes you wear
The environment you are in
By observing proper personal hygiene, wearing clean and dry clothes and staying in a cool environment, you can prevent bad body odor.
4. Are these foods good for everyone?
In most cases, eating these foods is good for everyone. However, if you have a certain disease, consult your doctor before consuming these foods.
5. Is it safe to eat these foods during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
In most cases, these foods are safe to eat during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, consult your doctor before consuming these foods.
6. Does eating these foods along with certain medications cause problems?
In some cases, eating these foods along with certain medications can cause problems. Consult your doctor before consuming these foods.
7. Does eating these foods have side effects?
In most cases, eating these foods has no side effects. However, in some cases it may cause mild side effects such as bloating or stomach upset. If you experience side effects while taking these foods, stop using them and consult your doctor.
A final word about foods to prevent bad body odor
Bad breath can cause embarrassment and lower self-confidence. Most people try to cover it up by using perfumes, deodorants, and creams that can partially cover the odor, but eating certain foods can eliminate the root cause of bad body odor. Foods that contain antibacterial properties can be especially helpful because they reduce the chance of bacteria growing on sweat and causing body odor.
