Do certain foods affect body odor (B.O.)?
Body odor (B.O.) is caused by sweat mixing with bacteria living on the skin. While B.O. is therefore mainly a matter of personal cleanliness, foods can add to one’s unpleasant odor in a few ways. Hot drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods can all cause excessive sweating. Since sweat and bacteria equate body odor, these can contribute to B.O. Some foods, such as garlic and onions, cause bad breath; still others, such as beans, contain sugars, starches, and insoluble fiber, which can cause flatulence. Although bad breath and flatulence are not technically B.O., they still stink. The worst B.O.-inducing foods include anything hot and spicy, such as Mexican or Indian dishes, or foods loaded with carbohydrates. The worst liquid offenders are coffee and liquor. Bottom Line: Eat these foods in moderation, use breath mints, brush your teeth twice a day (and floss), and bathe regularly. Is aspartame bad for you? There is no evidence that aspartame poses any greater health risks than does s
