5 Foods That Can Impact Your Scent

As the saying goes, 'You are what you eat,' and most of us invest a lot in efforts to mask our true scent. In 2004, Americans spent over $3.7 billion on gum and breath mints alone to fight bad breath [source: Francella]. Add perfumes, deodorants, and antiperspirants to the mix... it's clear we don't want to smell like this morning's everything bagel and half-caf macchiato.

However, no matter how hard you try, there are some food odors that just won't go away. Some affect your breath, while others make themselves known in more unexpected ways. If you're aiming to make a good impression without the stench, it's best to avoid these five foods.

5: The Durian Fruit

The durian is arguably the most divisive fruit in the world. Those who enjoy it praise its rich, savory taste and custard-like texture, earning it the title of 'king of fruits.' However, those who dislike it can't stand its pungent odor, which has been compared to dirty laundry, garbage, or rotten cheese. Its foul smell is so intense that it's prohibited in public spaces in certain regions.

The fruit contains 39 volatile compounds, including sulfurous substances, which are likely responsible for its overpowering scent. If you eat one, the smell of durian on your breath can linger for hours.

Researcher Songpol Somsri from Thailand's Horticultural Research Institute has developed an odorless durian in an effort to silence the fruit's detractors. However, its passionate fans continue to seek out increasingly pungent varieties in their quest for the ideal durian.

4: Asparagus

Some foods cause bad breath, while others seem to linger in your skin long after you've eaten them. But asparagus holds the dubious honor of making your urine smell like rotting cabbage. While scientists are still unsure of the exact cause, they've identified several chemical compounds, including S-methyl thioesters and methanethiol, as potential culprits. However, determining the exact source of the odor remains elusive.

Although there is still some debate about why asparagus causes such a unique odor in your urine, researchers agree on one thing: no one is exempt. You might be surprised if you're among the 60 to 80 percent of people who can eat asparagus and never notice the smell afterward. In that case, your genes are at play. People who don't detect the odor of asparagus in their pee simply lack the ability to smell it.

3: Garlic

Thanks to a constant stream of vampire-themed books, movies, and TV series, most of us know that garlic is a tried-and-true method of warding off Dracula. In reality, garlic is also a great way to keep just about anyone at a distance. After all, nothing lingers quite like garlic... it can stay on your breath for up to 72 hours, according to the Mayo Clinic.

A sulfur compound called allicin gives garlic its ability to overpower any breath mint or chewing gum, no matter the flavor. As allicin breaks down in the stomach, it releases a range of volatile compounds that remind you of that slice of pizza you ate hours ago. These compounds enter your bloodstream and are eventually released through your lungs.

While garlic may not be the best choice for first dates or family gatherings, it's incredibly beneficial for your health. Some research has shown that garlic can improve blood circulation, which in turn could reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

2: Alcohol

Anyone who's been around someone who's had a few too many drinks knows that the awful breath that follows is all about quantity. One or two drinks likely won’t leave much of a trace, but as the drinks pile up, so does the concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream... and on your breath. Like garlic, alcohol works its way from the blood into the lungs, and a breathalyzer — as well as anyone nearby — will catch a whiff. No amount of breath mints or mouthwash will do the trick. Time is the only cure.

Alcohol can cause bad breath in other ways as well. For one, drinking dehydrates the body, creating a perfect environment for the bacteria responsible for foul breath. On top of that, alcohol molecules can stick to the plaque on your teeth and gums, worsening what’s already a source of bad breath.

1: Onions

Like garlic, onions are great for you. Packed with fiber and beneficial sulfur compounds, they may help lower cholesterol, boost circulation, and even reduce the risk of colon cancer. The downside? They’ll leave you with bad breath.

Onions owe their remarkable ability to cling to you to volatile sulfur compounds, which evaporate as soon as they hit the air. As your body breaks down onions, these compounds enter your bloodstream and eventually reach the lungs. Brushing your teeth or using mints may temporarily mask the onion breath, but they won’t truly get rid of it.

Onions’ pungent breath doesn't have to ruin your enjoyment of them. Cooking onions helps break down the compounds responsible for onion breath. Plus, onions grown in low-sulfur soil contain fewer of these compounds, making them both sweeter and less smelly.