Sweating is a natural process, so is the odour. All of us have our own typical body odour, which can be termed as odour signature. This is mainly determined by genetics, overall health and majorly personal hygiene. But did you know it can be a result of what we eat. Researchers have found in different studies that in spite of maintaining good hygiene a few people have an unpleasant body odour. So if you are one of the them and suffering from the same problem keep a check on your food intake. Here are a few items that lead to bad body odour.
Alcohol: When alcohol is consumed, most of the amount is metabolised by the liver into acetic acid and some amount is released by the skin and lungs in form of sweat and breath respectively. So if excess alcohol is consumed it not only alter your breath but also produces body odour.
Red meat: Red meat contains a high amount of sulphur, which induces a ‘rotten egg’ like smell. Red meat is also high in fat content. After metabolism, a high amount of fatty acid residue excruciated through perspiration to a pungent body odour.
Fish: Fish is one of the most healthy protein sources packed with the goodness of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fats. Carnitine is an amino acid produced as an end product of the process, while a little amount is excreted through the skin in form of perspiration (sweating) causing a fishy odour.
Cruciferous veggies: These kind of veggies contain a high amount of sulphur which after digestion lead to a foul smell and increases the body odour.
Asparagus: Asparagus is also a high sulphur containing veggie. While digestion it produces a compound called methylmercaptan. This is a water-soluble compound excreted through urine and sweat.
Spicy food: Spicy foods such as garlic and onion also contain sulphur and causes a pungent smell after consumption.
Coffee: Caffeine present in coffee increases the activity of sweat-producing glands and increases body odour.
So before choosing any foods from the above-mentioned list. We should be a little choosy based on the time of eating, requirement of the body and season when we are having it.