Do People Smell Different Based on What They Eat?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

According to a study conducted by Australia's Macquarie University, men with a greater intake of fruits and vegetables were found to have more pleasant-smelling sweat. This research highlights a crucial point: yes, people smell different based on what they eat, influenced by the complex interaction between diet, metabolism, and skin bacteria.

Quick Summary

What you consume directly impacts your body's scent through metabolic processes and sweat composition. Dietary components like sulfur compounds from garlic and red meat byproducts can be released through pores, affecting your natural aroma. Research shows specific foods can produce more pleasant or unpleasant body odors, adding another layer to the complex puzzle of human scent.

Key Points

Dietary Compounds Affect Scent: Volatile compounds from foods, especially sulfur-rich ones like garlic and onions, can be released through your pores and alter your body odor.
Fruits and Vegetables Improve Odor: Studies indicate that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with more pleasant-smelling sweat, described as floral or fruity.
Red Meat and Spices Intensify Odor: The digestion of red meat releases odorous compounds, while certain spices contain volatile elements that can seep through your pores.
Gut Health is Crucial: Your unique gut microbiome, which processes food, is a key determinant of the metabolites that contribute to your personal scent.
Genetics Play a Big Role: Innate genetic factors, such as the ABCC11 gene, dictate the type and volume of sweat, explaining why some individuals have naturally less body odor.
Hydration and Hygiene are Key: Simple practices like drinking plenty of water and maintaining good hygiene can help flush out toxins and manage body odor effectively.

The Science Behind Your Scent: Metabolism and Bacteria

Body odor is not simply the smell of sweat itself; rather, it's the result of skin bacteria breaking down the proteins and lipids secreted by your apocrine sweat glands. While genetics play a significant role in determining the type and number of these glands, and your overall bacterial composition, what you eat can dramatically alter the raw materials available for this process.

When you consume food, it is digested and broken down into various chemical compounds. Some of these compounds, especially those that are volatile or contain elements like sulfur, can enter your bloodstream and then be released through your breath and sweat glands. The subsequent interaction of these food-derived compounds with your skin's microbiome is what can lead to a change in your personal scent.

Foods That May Intensify Body Odor

Certain foods are notoriously linked to stronger or more unpleasant body odor due to their chemical makeup. These foods, often high in sulfur compounds or difficult for the body to metabolize, can have a distinct impact on your scent. Some examples include cruciferous vegetables, red meat, garlic and onions, and certain spices. Alcohol and caffeine can also increase sweat production.

Foods That Can Improve Your Natural Scent

On the other hand, a diet rich in certain fruits, vegetables, and probiotics can help reduce or neutralize unwanted body odors. These foods often support better digestion and detoxification, leading to a fresher overall scent. Examples include fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus, yogurt with probiotics, herbs like parsley and mint, and green tea.

Comparison of Dietary Impacts on Body Odor


Food Type	Chemical Compound	Impact on Body Odor	Explanation
Red Meat	Amino Acids, Fatty Acids	Less pleasant, more pungent	Takes longer to digest; byproducts released in sweat intensify odor.
Fruits & Veggies	Antioxidants, Water	More pleasant, floral, sweet	High in detoxifying properties; helps flush out odor-causing compounds.
Garlic & Onions	Sulfur Compounds	Stronger, lingering odor	Absorbed into the bloodstream and released through pores and breath.
Spices (Curry, Cumin)	Volatile Compounds	Distinctive, spiced odor	Aromatic molecules are released through sweat and can cling to clothes.
Probiotic Yogurt	Beneficial Bacteria	Neutralizing, improved odor	Aids digestion and promotes gut health, which can reduce odor-causing compounds.

The Role of Gut Health and Genetics

Beyond the specific compounds in certain foods, your gut health and genetics are foundational factors. Your unique microbiome, the collection of bacteria in your gut, is heavily influenced by your long-term dietary patterns. This microbiome produces metabolites that are absorbed into the body and can affect your scent.

Genetic variations, such as the ABCC11 gene, can also dictate your body's natural odor. A non-functional variant of this gene is associated with less body odor and is common in East Asian populations. This can help explain differences in individual odor susceptibility.

Medical Conditions That Alter Odor

Sometimes, a change in body odor is linked to a health condition rather than diet. For example, uncontrolled diabetes can result in a fruity odor, and kidney issues may cause an ammonia-like smell. A rare condition called trimethylaminuria leads to a fishy smell. Any sudden, persistent odor change should be checked by a doctor.

Conclusion: A Holisitic Approach to Your Natural Scent

Yes, people do smell different based on what they eat, but diet is one element among genetics, hygiene, and overall health. While certain foods like garlic can enhance scent, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables might improve aroma. Staying hydrated and maintaining good hygiene also help manage body odor. A balanced diet and lifestyle are key to managing your scent.

For more information on the intricate connection between diet and human scent, you can read further scientific reviews from trusted sources like {Link: NIH website https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7215946/}.

Frequently Asked Questions

While diet is a significant factor, it is not the only determinant of your body odor. Genetics, overall health, hygiene practices, and environmental factors all play a crucial role in your unique scent profile.

Yes, several studies suggest a difference. Research has found that women perceived the sweat of men on a non-meat diet to be more attractive and pleasant than the sweat of red meat-eating men.

The timeframe can vary depending on the food and an individual's metabolism. Pungent foods like garlic can be noticed in sweat and breath within a few hours, while overall dietary changes may take weeks to result in a noticeable shift in body odor.

Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are rich in sulfur-containing compounds. When the body digests these, it releases sulfuric compounds that can be secreted through the pores, contributing to a stronger, more pungent smell.

Yes, proper hydration is important for managing body odor. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins and metabolic waste products, which can reduce the concentration of odor-causing compounds in your sweat.

Yes, your personal skin and gut microbiomes—the unique collection of microorganisms living on and in you—metabolize substances and create byproducts that directly contribute to your individual scent.

A fruity or acetone-like smell can be a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes, a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. In this instance, it is a medical sign and not just a dietary effect.