What you eat might not only affect your health but also how good—or bad—you smell. Research shows that certain foods can actually make your natural body odor more attractive to others.
According to a BBC report, every person has a unique scent—just like fingerprints. Factors like genes, hormones, mood, health, and hygiene all contribute to it. But one thing, scientists say, we have full control over is diet.
Professor Craig Roberts of the University of Stirling explains that food affects our body odor through the digestive system and skin. Breath and sweat are the two main sources of body scent, and both are directly influenced by what we eat.
Lina Begdash, professor of health and wellness at the State University of New York, says certain foods interact with intestinal bacteria to produce gases released through the breath—like garlic or onions that cause bad breath.
Similarly, food compounds reach the skin via the bloodstream and exit through sweat, where they mix with bacteria to produce distinct odors. Interestingly, pure sweat itself is odorless—it’s the bacteria that make it smell.
Vegetables and their sulfur smell
Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and turnips contain sulfur compounds that can cause strong body odors. Once these compounds enter the bloodstream, they’re released through sweat, giving off a pungent smell.
Surprising “garlic effect”
Garlic is notorious for causing bad breath, yet research suggests it may make men smell more attractive.
In a study by scientist Jan Havlicek at Charles University, 42 men consumed varying amounts of garlic or supplements. When 82 women rated their sweat samples for attractiveness, masculinity, and pleasantness, those who ate the most garlic were found to smell the best.
Havlicek explained that garlic’s antioxidant and antimicrobial properties improve overall health, which could make natural body scent more appealing.
Fruits and vegetables enhance scent appeal
A 2017 Australian study found that men who ate more fruits and vegetables had sweeter, more floral, and more attractive body odors.
Men with higher levels of carotenoids—nutrients found in carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, and papayas—were rated more favorably. A balanced diet with small amounts of meat, eggs, and tofu also produced pleasant scents, while high-carbohydrate diets led to less attractive odors.
In a 2006 study, men who avoided meat for two weeks had more attractive and less pungent body odors compared to those who ate meat daily. Scientists suggest early humans did not consume meat every day, so modern eating habits might be disrupting the body’s natural chemical balance.
Meanwhile, compounds like trimethylamine, found in fish and pulses, can create a fishy smell, especially in people with a rare condition known as “fish odor syndrome.”
Alcohol and coffee: Enemies of freshness
Drinking alcohol releases a toxic compound called acetaldehyde, which smells like stale wine and contributes to body odor. A study found that people who consumed alcohol regularly had higher sulfur levels in their breath.
Similarly, coffee can worsen body odor because caffeine stimulates sweat glands, giving bacteria more room to grow.
Fasting and its curious effect
Interestingly, fasting might slightly improve scent attractiveness. In one study, women who fasted for 48 hours had their sweat rated as more pleasant compared to those on a normal diet.
However, researchers note that fasting can also lead to bad breath since digestion slows down and saliva production decreases.
Scientists agree that diet plays a crucial role in how we smell—but results vary. While garlic and fruits may enhance scent appeal, too much meat, alcohol, or caffeine can do the opposite.
What remains clear is that our body odor reflects our overall health, and a balanced, plant-rich diet may be the secret to smelling naturally appealing.
