Ah, bad body odor — as it turns out, there are several surprising things that make you smell bad regardless of your personal hygiene! Despite your best effort (and deodorant or antiperspirant), BO can creep up anytime, anyplace. Bad body odor causes can be many. This includes your lifestyle, your diet, and even certain health conditions you may have. Even certain supplements, such as fish oil supplements can give you more than just lustrous hair and increased brain power! These can all be contributing factors to your bad body odour.
So, what causes body odor?
For example, eating cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli or brussels sprouts, can bring on halitosis or bad breath. Garlic, spicy foods such as curry, and other aromatic spices, are also known causes of bad breath, but they also make your skin smell! When digested, these foods produce sulfur-containing gases. Some of these gases are absorbed into the bloodstream and get released through your breath and your sweat. You can also develop sinus breath. Allergies and sinus infections halitosis is a devastating condition, and often requires further investigating. (There are worse symptoms and conditions caused by allergies though… you can check them out HERE).
Another one of the surprising things that make you smell bad is fiber! Foods rich in fiber are great for your health. But, they may leave you feeling bloated and gassy! Unfortunately, the reason some fiber-rich foods keep you feeling full longer is the same reason that they can cause gas. Too little fiber is one of the main causes of constipation and it can leave you with a fecal body odor! Yes, if you are suffering from severe constipation your body odor smells like feces. Sexy, right?
You may already know all too well that stress can cause some serious underarm drama. Familiar with the term STRESS SWEAT? Yep, it gets pretty bad. And deodorants only temporarily mask your BO since they don’t prevent your body from releasing sweat. Antiperspirants on the other hand actually clog your sweat glands, stopping you from excreting sweat. You really need only an antiperspirant, but if you want the added scent, pick a product that has both deodorant and antiperspirant in one. It’s also best to apply it before you go to sleep. The effect can last 24 hours or longer, even if you shower in the morning. If this doesn’t help, ask your doctor about prescription-strength antiperspirants. Drysol or Xerac are popular brands, and you might want to give them a try.
But there are even more unexpected things that make you smell bad …
“RED MEAT SWEATS” anyone? Yep, red meat consumption has been linked to bad body odor. Drinking alcohol can also increase your stink. Have you ever had way too many cocktails, and woke up smelling like alcohol the next day? Yes, you can develop a temporary body odor from alcohol detox as your body is trying to excrete it. Alcohol IS a toxin, and your liver is not overly thrilled about your regular happy hour…
Did you know that losing weight can also cause body odor and bad breath?
Many people report B.O. problems after switching to a low-carb diet. The most popular low carb diets are the Atkins diet, the Ketogenic diet, the Paleo diet, and the South Beach diet. Followers of these protein-packed, low-carb diets may find their breath surprisingly stinky. Because carbs are your body’s normal energy source, when you consume too few, you start burning your own fat stores for energy, which releases substances called ketones into your bloodstream. These can make your breath smell quite funky – similar to acetone, the active ingredient found in nail polish remover. This is also known as ketones odor – and it’s probably one of the most annoying ketosis side effects besides feeling lethargic all the time!
And if you prefer wearing shoes without socks, you could have a definite foot odor problem at the end of the day. Closed shoes trap moisture, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow and cause stinky feet.
At one time or another, you’ve probably felt self-conscious about the way you smell. Wondering “is that me?”… “do I smell bad?” But, as you can see, there can be many surprising things that make you smell bad! However, once you figure out the root cause of your stink, getting rid of it is much easier. If you want to know how to eliminate body odor or at least know how to improve body odor, check out this list!
Also, try to stick to a diet rich in vegetables, reduce your red meat consumption, and limit your alcohol intake. Wear loose-fitting clothing, bathe regularly, and always wear socks with closed-toe shoes!