If you suffer from body odor, it may be caused by the foods you consume. Your body odor may be most noticeable when you sweat, which may occur more often when you are anxious, exercising or doing another activity that causes physical exertion. In some cases, you may be able to eliminate your body odor at home. Consult a doctor before treating body odor yourself.
Significance
Body odor usually occurs when the apocrine glands on the groin and armpits release sweat that reacts with the bacteria on the skin. This may cause an odor, according to MayoClinic.com in the article "Sweating and Body Odor." Some foods and beverages may cause you to sweat more than usual, creating a stronger odor. Strong-smelling foods may also cause the sweat to smell, which may cause a strong-scented body odor.
Types
Some foods that could cause your apocrine glands to release more sweat more than usual include alcoholic beverages and foods or drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, chocolate and soda. Foods that may cause your sweat to smell include onions, curry, garlic and other strong-smelling spices, according to the Health Services at Columbia website in the article "What Can I Do About My Strong Body Odor?"
Home Remedies
Eliminate foods from your diet that cause you to sweat or cause your sweat to smell. Don't eat these foods for one week to determine if they are the cause of your body odor, recommends home remedy website Health911 in the article "Body Odor." Bathe once a day and apply deodorant and antiperspirant immediately after showering. After eating foods with odors, eat a small amount of parsley or alfalfa to neutralize the scent, notes the Health Services of Columbia website.
Doctor's Remedies
If body odor cannot be eliminated with home remedies, consult a doctor. A doctor may inject botulinum toxin into the skin on the armpits or other areas of the body to paralyze the sweat glands. A doctor may also recommend a prescription-strength antiperspirant that prevents sweat glands from releasing sweat under the arms or on other areas causing body odor.
Expert Insight
According to the Health Services at Columbia website, eating an unbalanced diet, particularly a diet that contains lots of sweets, may cause body odor. Eat more vegetables and whole-grain foods to reduce body odor and drink a wheat grass supplement after each meal. Wheat grass may help naturally deodorize the body and counteract the smell of the foods you have recently eaten.
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