What to drink to make you smell better? An internal guide to freshness

According to the American Society for Microbiology, a person's unique skin microbiome can significantly influence their body odor. This highlights why addressing unwanted scent often requires more than just topical products, making internal wellness a crucial part of the solution. Wondering what to drink to make you smell better? The key lies in enhancing your body's natural detoxification processes and gut health.

Quick Summary

This guide explores effective hydrating drinks, herbal infusions, and probiotic-rich beverages that work from the inside out to neutralize odor-causing compounds and promote a fresher natural scent.

Key Points

• Hydration is Key: Drinking plenty of water dilutes sweat and flushes out odor-causing toxins from your body.

• Chlorophyll for Detox: Adding liquid chlorophyll to your water can act as an internal deodorant by supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes.

• Balance Your Gut: Probiotic drinks like kefir and yogurt help balance your gut microbiome, reducing the production of odor-causing compounds during digestion.

• Herbal Infusions: Green tea and mint tea contain antibacterial properties and antioxidants that combat odor-causing bacteria and promote freshness.

• A Holistic Strategy: Best results are achieved when these drinks are combined with a balanced diet, proper hygiene, and stress management.

The Internal Roots of Body Odor

Body odor is not simply caused by sweat, but by the bacteria on your skin breaking down that sweat into odorous compounds. The concentration of these compounds can be heavily influenced by what you eat and drink. When the body is dehydrated or struggling to process certain foods, it can lead to more concentrated waste products being expelled through sweat, resulting in a stronger, more unpleasant smell. For example, a diet low in carbohydrates can cause the body to burn protein for energy, which produces ammonia that is released through sweat and urine. By focusing on internal hydration and detoxification, you can help your body flush out these toxins more efficiently, supporting a fresher natural fragrance.

The Fundamental Fix: Just Add Water

The single most important beverage for improving body odor is plain water. When you are dehydrated, your sweat becomes more concentrated, and your body's ability to flush out toxins diminishes. By drinking enough water, you help dilute the compounds in your sweat and support your kidneys and digestive system in eliminating waste. This simple habit helps reduce the buildup of odor-causing substances in your system, promoting a cleaner, less intense body scent. For most adults, this means aiming for at least eight glasses daily, but it can vary based on your activity level and climate. Hydration is the cornerstone of internal freshness.

Chlorophyll Water: Nature's Deodorizer

Chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, has gained a reputation as a powerful internal deodorizer, and for good reason. It works by supporting the body's detoxification processes and promoting a healthy gut environment. Chlorophyll helps maintain proper elimination of toxins through waste, which reduces the amount of odor-producing compounds that would otherwise be released through sweat.

To consume chlorophyll, you can mix liquid chlorophyllin into your water. You can also increase your intake through chlorophyll-rich foods like spinach, parsley, and green beans, often by blending them into a green smoothie. While scientific evidence is still emerging, anecdotal reports and some older studies suggest that chlorophyll can effectively neutralize body odors and bad breath from within.

The Gut-Scent Connection: Probiotic Drinks

A healthy gut microbiome is fundamental to a pleasant body odor. Your gut bacteria play a key role in breaking down food compounds. An imbalanced gut can lead to inefficient digestion and the production of odor-causing metabolites that are then released through your skin. Probiotic drinks introduce beneficial bacteria that help rebalance your intestinal flora, supporting better digestion and reducing the likelihood of these smelly compounds making their way out through your pores.

Fermented drinks for a balanced microbiome

• Kefir: This fermented milk drink is packed with probiotics that help restore a healthy gut environment. For those who prefer a dairy-free option, water kefir is also available.
• Probiotic Yogurt Drinks: A staple for many, these drinks contain live and active cultures that assist in digestion and combat odor-causing bacteria.

Herbal Teas for a Fragrant Finish

Certain herbal teas can help fight body odor by providing antioxidants and antibacterial properties that work from the inside. They help cleanse the system and combat the bacteria that produce bad scents.

Green Tea: Rich in Polyphenols

Green tea is known for its high antioxidant content, specifically polyphenols. These compounds can help reduce the sulfur compounds that cause bad breath and suppress the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Regular consumption can support overall detoxification and oral health.

Peppermint and Mint Teas

These teas contain natural volatile oils that can have a cleansing effect on the body and leave behind a fresh, clean scent. Peppermint is particularly effective for soothing the digestive tract and can contribute to fresher breath.

Comparison of Odor-Fighting Drinks

Drink Type	Primary Benefit for Odor	Mechanism	Key Actions	Considerations
Plain Water	Dilutes sweat and flushes toxins	Supports kidney function and hydration	Detoxifies, dilutes odor compounds	Must be consumed consistently throughout the day
Chlorophyll Water	Internal deodorant and detoxifier	Aids in toxin elimination, gut support	Neutralizes odor, antioxidant	Some require supplements; not a cure-all
Probiotic Drinks	Balances gut microbiome	Adds beneficial bacteria for digestion	Reduces odor-causing compounds internally	Effects vary, requires regular consumption
Green Tea	Fights odor-causing bacteria	Contains polyphenols, antioxidants	Reduces sulfur compounds in mouth	Contains caffeine; may not be suitable for all
Citrus Water	Assists digestion and detoxification	High in Vitamin C, increases saliva flow	Flushes toxins, fights oral bacteria	Can be acidic; use in moderation

Other Beneficial Drinks and Blends

• Fenugreek Seed Water: Soaking fenugreek seeds overnight and drinking the water in the morning is believed to have detoxifying effects that help reduce body odor.
• Lemon and Citrus Infused Water: A slice of lemon, orange, or lime in your water adds a fresh flavor and provides vitamin C, which can help flush out toxins. The citric acid also helps with digestion.
• Turmeric Tea: Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties can support liver health and promote detoxification. Brew a cup with a pinch of turmeric and black pepper to aid absorption.

The Holistic Approach

While these drinks can be powerful allies in managing body odor, they are most effective as part of a holistic wellness strategy. This includes maintaining good personal hygiene, wearing breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, and reducing your consumption of foods known to cause strong odors, such as red meat, garlic, onions, and processed foods. Stress management through techniques like yoga or meditation is also important, as stress-related sweat can have a more pungent smell. For individuals with persistent or unusual body odor, it's always advisable to consult a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Conclusion: Scent from Within

What you drink can have a profound impact on your body's natural scent. By prioritizing hydration with plain water, and incorporating detoxifying and gut-balancing beverages like chlorophyll water, probiotic drinks, and herbal teas, you can work from the inside out to achieve a fresher aroma. Remember, consistency is key, and the best results are achieved when combined with other healthy lifestyle practices. Your journey to smelling better starts with the fluids you choose to nourish your body.

For more information on the factors affecting body odor, consider reviewing information from reliable health sources, such as Harvard Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can drinking more water alone stop body odor?

While drinking more water is the most crucial step and can significantly improve body odor by flushing toxins and diluting sweat, it's most effective when combined with good hygiene and a healthy diet. It is an essential part, but often not the only solution.

How long does it take to see results from drinking these beverages?

Results vary depending on your metabolism, diet, and consistency. While some people notice improvements within a week of regular consumption and hydration, it can take longer for more significant and lasting changes to occur.

Is chlorophyll water safe to drink daily?

For most people, yes. It's generally considered safe. However, in some cases, it can cause mild digestive issues or discoloration of urine or feces. It's wise to consult a doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Will these drinks help with bad breath as well?

Many of these drinks, particularly green tea, mint tea, and lemon water, can also help combat bad breath. They contain antibacterial compounds and promote saliva production, which helps fight oral bacteria and sulfur compounds.

Should I cut out certain foods to maximize the effects?

Yes, for the best results, it's recommended to reduce consumption of foods known to cause strong odors, such as excessive red meat, garlic, onions, and certain spices. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will be more supportive.

What is the difference between probiotic drinks and probiotic deodorant?

Probiotic drinks work internally by balancing your gut bacteria to reduce odor compounds from the inside out. Probiotic deodorants, on the other hand, apply beneficial bacteria topically to the skin to balance the external microbiome and fight odor-causing bacteria directly.

Can I make a detoxifying drink at home?

Yes, many effective detoxifying drinks can be made at home. A simple example is infusing water with sliced lemon, orange, lime, and mint leaves. Another is brewing a tea with turmeric and a pinch of black pepper.