Which foods change our body odour?

Joseph Chance (0:04)

Which foods change our body odour?

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Did you know that each of us has a truly unique body odour, which is influenced by a mix of genetic, hormonal, age-related, environmental and lifestyle factors? And your diet plays a significant role in shaping your natural scent. Some foods have their own noticeably strong odours, like garlic or onions, for example, and can in turn cause us to sweat more. The same goes for spices and chilli, which makes sense given how hot they are. If you eat a lot of turmeric, you may notice a tangy aroma emanating straight from your skin pores, caused by an uptick in sweat acidity, and the presence of a molecule called carvone. I've even noticed a sulphur-like smell in the past. That's right, and that particular smell tends to come from digesting certain specific foods, like onions or cabbage. If you like asparagus, you may well have recognised a distinctive odour in your pee, which is a result of the digestive system breaking down asparagusic acid into sulphur-containing compounds. Now, if you find yourself with a cabbage-like odour that reminds you of rotten eggs, it may be down to problems with digesting dairy. Red meat and processed meats can also dial up the intensity of your sweat scent. When it comes to drinks, both coffee and alcohol can increase body temperature, leading to more sweating. Alcohol in particular is considered toxic by the body and expelled through urine, respiration and sweat. Is there anything else that could explain a change in odour? Indeed, the bacteria living in our bodies play a role. All of our body odours are actually produced by the bacteria we host. They generate these odours based on what we feed them, essentially by metabolising products and creating smells, both pleasant and unpleasant. Medication can also impact body odour by causing excessive sweating. According to medicalnewstoday.com, this happens with the likes of Decipramin, nortriptyline, pillow carpin, protryptyline and zinc supplements.

Meanwhile, other medications can alter your breath by disrupting digestive transit and causing burping. Are there any foods that can improve body odour? Yes, there are, actually, at least according to a study published in January 2017 in Evolution and Human Behaviour. It found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables made male body odour more attractive to women. On the other hand, a diet heavy in foods like pasta or bread, which are rich in carbs, can lead to sweating and hence an unpleasant body odour. There you have it.

Now you know which foods change our body odour. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.

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