5 Foods That Cause Unpleasant Body Odor

You've tried every deodorant and soap to get your body odor under control, but you still have an unpleasant smell about you. It might be time to take a good look inside your fridge in order to get to the bottom of your B.O. problem.

Strange as it may sound, a meal can make more than just your breath smell funky. There are actually some foods that can change your aroma, too.

From the spice that makes your sweat stink to the veggies that give you gas, these foods could be the real culprit behind your body odor woes.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables might be good for your gut, but they're not so great for your body odor. Foods like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower release stinky sulfur that can make its way to your sweat glands and cause body odor, according to Cleveland Clinic. On top of that, they may also cause unpleasant-smelling wind.

"These vegetables are double trouble for body odors," says Shona Wilkinson, a registered nutritionist based in London. "Not only are they sulfur-rich and break down into mercaptan (a colorless gas with a disgusting smell), they also contain a type of fiber called raffinose. This fiber does not get broken down in the gut and serves as a fecal bulk and as a food source for beneficial bacteria."

The result? Smelly gas from bacterial fermentation.

Here's the thing, though: These veggies are part of a healthy diet, so don't cut them out altogether. Instead, consider limiting them if the smell is an issue, especially before any big social events.

2. Red Meat

Opting for a vegetarian diet could have a surprising effect on your body odor. An older but very often cited study published in 2006 determined that men who were on a meatless diet smelled considerably more pleasant than those who ate red meat. Researchers had women rate the attractiveness of the perspiration samples, and meat-free sweat was the overwhelming winner.

Let's be clear: This was a small study, involving only 17 men, and it doesn't prove that red meat causes smelly sweat. Rather, it shows a link between eating red meat and smelling less than fresh.

After the body digests red meat, it releases odorless proteins through sweat glands, according to Cleveland Clinic. If these proteins interact with certain bacteria, it can lead to body odor.

For the record, red meat includes beef, pork, lamb, and veal, and is associated with a number of health issues, including higher rates of obesity, heart disease, and cancer, Cleveland Clinic notes.

The American Institute for Cancer Research advises limiting red meat consumption to 12 to 18 ounces per week.

3. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an herb that's often used in cooking and sometimes used as medicine (though there's not much good evidence around its purported health benefits), according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. It has a certain smell that's often compared to maple syrup.

"Because sotolon, the component responsible for this smell, passes through the body unchanged, it is eliminated in sweat and urine," Wilkinson explains. "Sotolon is actually also found in maple syrup and aged rum."

Wilkinson says the only way to get rid of the smell is to stop taking fenugreek.

4. Fish

Fish is normally one of the first foods that springs to mind when you think about a healthy diet because of all those heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But when it comes to body odor, some folks might want to steer clear of certain kinds of seafood.

Wilkinson explains that some types of fish, along with several other foods rich in the essential vitamin choline — such as eggs, legumes, and liver — can be very problematic for people who have a condition called trimethylaminuria. Also known as fish odor syndrome, or TMAU, the condition is inherited and considered uncommon, although the true prevalence is unknown, according to MedlinePlus.

"This syndrome occurs in people who have a genetic inability to break down choline, resulting in a strong fishy odor," Wilkinson says. "To treat it, they must avoid all of these foods."

If you suspect you have fish odor syndrome, work with your doctor or a dietitian to build a healthy diet that avoids trigger foods but still delivers the nutrients you need.

5. Coffee

Your beloved morning coffee doesn't just make your breath smell, it might make your armpits whiff, too.

The caffeine in coffee can activate your sweat glands, according to Cleveland Clinic. For some people, that can lead to excessive perspiration and, in turn, body odor. This is more likely if you're sensitive to caffeine or have taken in a large amount.

Switching to decaf coffee or less-caffeinated tea could help your perspiration problem. Also remember to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

And if you make changes to your diet but still have B.O. that is affecting your quality of life, consider seeing a doctor about the problem.