Every bite you eat changes something in your body’s chemistry. It could be adding new nutrients and vitamins to your organs or pumping in fats.
What you may not have thought of is that these bites could alter your body’s smell. Some meals do more than just satisfy hunger; they can cause body odor, bad breath, or even strange-smelling sweat.
There are several foods that make you smell bad, and being aware of them can help you stay fresh throughout the day.
7 Foods That Make You Smell Bad
According to the research Journal of Food Quality, here are seven foods that could be making you smell less than pleasant, along with the reasons behind the stink.
1. Garlic
Garlic is a flavor booster in many dishes, but it’s also one of the top foods that make you smell bad. Garlic contains sulfur compounds like allicin, which break down into other smelly substances after digestion. These compounds enter your bloodstream and leave your body through sweat and breath.
The odor doesn’t just stick to your mouth; it seeps through your pores. Even hours after you’ve eaten it, garlic can linger on your skin. Some people are more sensitive than others, so the smell may be stronger depending on your body chemistry.
Why it smells: Sulfur compounds create a strong, almost rotten odor that escapes through sweat glands and lungs.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of sleeping with garlic under the pillow.
2. Onions
Onions are close cousins to garlic and have a similar effect on body odor. Raw onions contain sulfur-based substances that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Like garlic, these compounds are expelled through your pores and breath.
The odor tends to intensify when you sweat, especially under your arms. Cooked onions can also cause bad breath, although to a lesser extent.
Why it smells: Onions contain sulfuric oils that release gases into the lungs and skin.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of garlic, onion, and ginger tea
3. Red Meat
Red meat takes longer to digest compared to plant-based foods. As it sits in your digestive system, bacteria break it down and release odor-causing compounds. These toxins can get absorbed into the bloodstream and released through your skin.
People who eat a lot of red meat may notice a stronger body odor, especially if they aren’t drinking enough water or exercising regularly to flush out toxins.
Why it smells: Slow digestion and bacterial breakdown create unpleasant-smelling chemicals in the gut.
Click here to learn more about how to use garlic for weight loss and immune boosting
4. Asparagus
Asparagus may be great for your health, but it has a hidden downside: its impact on your urine. After eating asparagus, many people notice their urine smells funky. This is due to a sulfur-containing compound called asparagusic acid, which breaks down quickly in the body and produces a distinct odor.
Not everyone can smell it, though. Genetics play a role in whether your nose detects the scent, but that doesn’t mean your body isn’t producing it.
Why it smells: Asparagusic acid breaks down into sulfur-like chemicals that exit through urine.
Click here to learn more about whether low hydration can cause high blood pressure.
5. Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts)
These vegetables are healthy and packed with fiber and nutrients, but they also contain sulfur compounds that can make you smell bad. When your body digests cruciferous vegetables, it releases hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs.
If you eat a lot of these vegetables regularly, the sulfur gases can be released through your sweat, leading to unpleasant body odor.
Why it smells: Hydrogen sulfide gas builds up in the gut and can exit through breath and skin.
Click here to learn more about people who don’t eat fruits and vegetables.
6. Alcohol
Alcohol is processed by your liver and turned into acetic acid. When consumed in excess, your body tries to get rid of it is eliminated through sweat and breath. That’s why hangovers often come with foul-smelling breath or skin.
Your body treats alcohol like a toxin, so it works hard to flush it out. In doing so, it can leave you with a stale, sour odor that lingers.
Why it smells: Alcohol seeps out through the pores and breath during breakdown and detoxification.
Click here to learn more about what causes bad body odor.
7. Fish
Certain fish, like tuna, anchovies, and sardines, can cause a strong body odor in some people. These fish are high in choline, a B-vitamin that can produce a fishy body smell in large quantities.
There’s also a rare condition called trimethylaminuria where the body can’t properly break down a compound found in fish. This can lead to a strong, fishy smell in sweat, urine, and breath.
Why it smells: High levels of choline and amines can result in a lingering fishy odor.
Click here to learn more about 14 natural home remedies for body odor.
When to Seek Medical Attention
It’s normal for some foods to temporarily affect your smell. However, if you notice persistent, strong body odor that doesn’t improve even after dietary changes, it may be time to see a doctor.
You should seek medical help if:
- Body odor changes suddenly without a clear reason
- Your breath smells fruity or sweet (could indicate diabetes)
- You develop a fishy smell despite not eating fish
- Odor is accompanied by other symptoms, like fatigue or weight loss
Click here to learn more about PCOS body odor treatment.
What to Expect at the Doctor’s Office
A doctor will begin by asking questions about your diet, hygiene habits, and any recent health changes. They may perform:
- Blood tests to check for metabolic conditions
- Urine tests to look for unusual compounds
- Physical examination to rule out infections or skin disorders
If a medical issue is causing the odor, your doctor can help treat the underlying cause. In some cases, they may refer you to a specialist like a dermatologist or endocrinologist.
Click here to learn more about what to expect during and after pregnancy.
A Word from GetMe Treated
Many common foods that make you smell bad are also packed with health benefits, so it’s not always necessary to cut them out completely.
Being mindful of what you eat and how your body responds is key. You can balance your meals, drink plenty of water, and practice good hygiene to help reduce any unwanted odors.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of guava leaves water.
FAQs About Foods That Make You Smell Bad
Can chewing gum or mints mask the odor from foods that make you smell bad?
Yes, temporarily. Gum or mints can help cover bad breath, but won’t remove the compounds causing odor from your bloodstream or sweat.
Do natural deodorants help with food-related body odor?
They can help manage sweat smells, but may not be strong enough for odors caused by sulfur-rich foods. Look for deodorants with baking soda or activated charcoal.
How long does the odor last after eating foods that make you smell bad?
It depends on your metabolism, hydration level, and activity. In general, the odor can linger from a few hours to over a day.
Can probiotics help with odor caused by gut bacteria?
Yes, improving your gut health with probiotics may reduce odor caused by digestion and bacterial imbalances.
Is it safe to eat these foods even if they cause a bad smell?
Absolutely. Most are very nutritious. The key is moderation and maintaining good hygiene habits.
What drink helps flush out odor-causing compounds?
Water is the best option. Herbal teas with mint or lemon can also help cleanse your system and freshen your breath.