While we all have our natural scent, the foods that we eat impact our smell, whether we realize it or not. Just like there are certain ingredients that make us stink (i.e. cabbage, broccoli, and other veggies with sulfur) there are other foods that can make you smell amazing and add to your allure. The phrase “you are what you eat” has never been so true — here are the best foods to make your body smell good and provide an au naturel perfume.
1. Citrus
Citrus works as a sort of bad odor remover, when we consume it. It has a fresh and invigorating scent, and if you eat oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, or strawberry, you’ll adopt that scent. If you’re not a fan of these fruits, consider squeezing some lime or lemon into your drink.
2. Jasmine tea
While jasmine has a particularly seductive scent, all herbal teas help flush toxins out of your system, hence enhancing your natural smell. Jasmine tea does this as well as calming your digestive system. After all, who doesn’t want to smell like fresh jasmine?
3. Apples
Apples remove odor in multiple ways. While they act as a natural detergent, chewing an apple also pushes plaque away from your teeth, as well as stuck food matter that may be hiding in your mouth and causing bacteria and a funky smell.
4. Yogurt
From your gut to your skin, yogurt has plenty of benefits. Its naturally occurring probiotics can also help fight body odor and neutralize it, so feel free to get your parfait on. Just don’t add too much sugar.
5. Apple cider vinegar
If you have foot odor, ACV is your best bet. While it acts as an antibacterial soak, it also has the same cleansing effects when consumed. It also dries excess sweat and is an affordable way to keep your system balanced. Always dilute in water so that it’s not too acidic.
6. Celery
This underrated veggie is packed with fiber and calorie-burning potential. Most importantly, celery stalks are full of androstenol and androstenone, which are odor molecules. As soon as they’re released in your mouth, these pheromones boost arousal in your own body, which causes it to send off signals and smells that make you more attractive to potential partners!
7. White fish
While this might not give you an irresistibly sexy scent, it will neutralize bad odors, especially if you’re a carnivore who tends to eat too much red meat. Unlike that burger or steak, no unpleasant smells are released when our body metabolizes fish. White fish includes halibut, haddock, tilapia, or cod.
8. Water
This isn’t technically a food, but dehydration is a common reason for foul odor in people. Water helps our bodies flush out and eliminate stink-causing factors. If you absolutely hate drinking water on its own, add a citrus slice and eat fruits and veggies with high water content.
9. Fresh herbs
Basil, mint, rosemary and other herbs can destroy order with their aromatic, botanical nature. Thanks to the essential oils in these herbs, it acts as a mouthwash, masking odors from anything garlicky or intensely flavored that you might not want lingering in your mouth. Consider adding some mint or basil in with your dessert.
10. Truffles
Just like celery, androstenol runs rampant in truffles, and while truffles are too overpriced for many to incorporate in their diet, truffle oil is more affordable and contains just as many pheromones. While 25% of the population can’t smell these pheromones, the rest will love the musky scent.
11. Fenugreek seeds
Often ground and added into a curry, Fenugreek helps remove toxins from the body due to its high antioxidant content. They can top a salad, too. Fenugreek seeds also improve digestion, and help to naturally remove repulsive smells.If you love cooking Indian food, this should be easy to incorporate! Fennel seeds are equally effective.
12. Kombucha
If you’re not a fan of yogurt but still want your daily fix of healthy microbes, consider this fermented beverage, which lowers the chance of bad breath and keeps your digestive system happy. Since store-bought kombucha can be expensive, you can even experiment with making your own DIY version at home.
13. Ginger
Ginger can definitely smell potent, but don’t worry, if you add some to your beverages and food is won’t make you smell like ginger. Instead, it’ll remove any other unsavoury odors — a lemon and ginger tea will have particularly detoxifying properties that fight bad smells. If gassiness is your odor issue, a few ginger slices can help cure stomach problems.
14. Coconut oil
Poor digestion can be a major cause of body odor. It can affect how you smell. And while we’ve included plenty of foods that can promote better digestion, it’s helpful to know a cooking oil that can also neutralize scent. Coconut oil is incredibly versatile, and just a tablespoon in your meals can help improve that stinky essence.
