There are moments when you suddenly become aware of yourself in close company. In a meeting room, on public transport or standing near colleagues.
You are clean, dressed appropriately and have done nothing out of the ordinary, yet a quiet doubt appears. Something feels off.
In many Western cultures, body odour is still closely associated with hygiene, but science suggests the explanation is often more subtle and far more common.
International lifestyle and health reporting, including coverage by Indian lifestyle media, has highlighted how diet can influence body odour.
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Researchers in nutrition, dermatology and microbiology increasingly point to food choices as an overlooked factor shaping how the body smells in everyday life.
How the body releases scent
When the body breaks down food, it produces chemical by-products that leave through breath, sweat and urine.
According to Harvard Health Publishing and the American Academy of Dermatology, alcohol is among the strongest contributors.
It is partly released through the skin, creating a sour or stale smell that can linger long after the last drink.
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Metabolism also plays a role. Rare conditions such as trimethylaminuria demonstrate how certain compounds from food can dramatically alter body odour.
While uncommon in Northern Europe, these disorders underline how closely diet and scent are connected.
Everyday food effects
In Scandinavian diets, foods such as cabbage, onions, garlic, fish and protein-rich meals are staples.
Scientific reviews published in nutrition and microbiology journals show that these foods can lead to the formation of sulfur- and ammonia-based compounds, which are intensified by skin bacteria.
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In workplaces with close proximity and strong social norms around personal space, even mild odours can feel more noticeable.
This does not make the foods unhealthy, but it does make their effects more relevant in professional and social settings.
Balance over avoidance
Experts emphasise that body odour is rarely caused by a single ingredient. Portion size, hydration and timing matter.
Drinking enough water and maintaining dietary variety can significantly reduce unwanted effects without eliminating common foods altogether.
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Understanding how food interacts with the body can help explain situations many people experience but rarely discuss.
Sources: Times of India and NIH
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