Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a condition that may be caused be the result of numerous factors or conditions such as dental problems, gingivitis, a dry mouth or tobacco, according to MayoClinic.com. Bad breath or halitosis can be embarrassing and cause anxiety. Fortunately, there are foods rich in vitamins that are effective in reducing the severity of bad breath.
Vitamin B-9
Vitamin B-9 or folic acid can be found in foods such as kidney beans, beef liver, dark leafy greens, turnip, salmon, white beans and soybeans, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin B-9 may be able to reduce bad breathe by treating and preventing gingivitis, which can cause bad breathe, according to Health Wise. In addition, vitamin B-12 also helps to treat gum inflammation.
Vitamin C
Rich sources of vitamin C include oranges, turnips, dark leafy vegetables, blueberries, winter squashes, potatoes, mango, kiwi, cauliflower, red peppers and strawberries, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Vitamin C helps to prevent both gingivitis and gum disease by acting as an antioxidant -- flushing out harmful bacteria inside your body. Health Wise says that low vitamin C intake may make you prone to gingivitis.
Zinc
Good sources of zinc include red meats, green beans, pinto beans, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, pumpkin and oysters, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Like vitamin C, zinc is an antioxidant vitamin -- beneficial for treating bad breath as it helps to remove bacteria and viruses from your mouth. In addition, zinc plays an important role in taste. Low levels of zinc in your body can contribute to bad breath due to build-up of excess bacteria.
