By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND

While some meals leave you glowing, others have the power to transform your aroma in ways you might not expect. Ever caught yourself wondering, “Why do I suddenly smell… different?” Turns out, your meals might be the culprit behind this unexpected transformation.

Foods can make you smell due to the unique compounds they release when they’re digested or metabolized by your body. Some foods contain sulfur, like garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), which, when broken down, produce sulfur containing gases. These gases can then be released through your skin or breath, giving you a novel odour. Spicy foods like curry or chilli can stimulate your sweat glands, making your body release more sweat, which can carry the pungent aromas with it. Foods high in certain acids, like coffee, can also affect your scent by altering the balance of bacteria on your skin or in your mouth. Even foods rich in strong flavors, like fish or cheese, can create compounds that seep through your pores, leaving you with a fragrance that sticks around longer than expected!

In some cases, the scent can also be tied to how your body is detoxifying. You will notice that some of the foods on this list below are considered medicinal foods and can even be found in the ingredient list of some natural supplements. Foods with active phytochemicals (medicinal properties) are more likely to cause changes in your body scent. If you are noticing a change in how you smell, take a look through the list below to see if one of these foods may be contributing. Make sure to check the label on any supplements you take!

Foods High in Sulfur:

  • Garlic: Contains sulfur compounds that are metabolized and can cause a noticeable odor.
  • Onions: Also high in sulfur, leading to a strong smell that can be emitted through sweat.
  • Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain sulfur and can impact body odor.

Spices:

  • Cumin and Curry: These spices have strong odours that can seep through the pores after digestion.
  • Fenugreek: Known for its distinct smell, which can linger on the body.

Red Meat:

  • Takes longer to digest, leading to more perspiration and stronger body odour due to the breakdown of amino acids.

Alcohol:

  • Consumed alcohol is metabolized into acetic acid, which can be released through sweat, contributing to body odour.

Processed Foods:

  • High in sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to excessive sweat production, which can increase body odour.

Asparagus:

  • Contains asparagusic acid, which can cause a strong smell in urine and body sweat.

Fish:

  • Some fish, like tuna and salmon, contain choline, which can produce a fishy odour in some individuals.

Dairy:

  • For those who are lactose intolerant, consuming dairy can lead to bloating and flatulence, which can contribute to an overall body odor.

Coffee:

  • Can lead to increased perspiration and thus a stronger body odor due to the stimulant effect of caffeine.

Tips to avoid changes to body odour – Stay hydrated to help flush dilute and flush out the smell. Dehydration makes any kind of body odour worse.