Break a Sweat

In these steaming summer days, one problem that concerns quite a few people is perspiration and its notable odor. Just like some people hardly sweat and some sweat a lot, there are people whose sweat odor is unnoticeable and some whose odor is especially strong. Incidentally, there is no connection between the two.

The process of perspiration is a biological-physiological process, the purpose of which is to regulate body temperature by releasing salts and fluids and cooling the body in this method. While sweat is odorless, the bacteria and fungi on our skin are most likely the elements that “add” to the body odor. This is why it is rational to remove hair in areas that are more likely to sweat, like the armpits.

There is a theory that sweat odor is affected, at least in part, by our diet and the nutrients we consume. There are different foods that are known to evaporate through the sweat or to have an impact over one’s sweat odor, for example hilbe, caffeine, garlic and other spicy foods.

It is very common for people who are attempting to lower their blood pressure to eat large portions of garlic. The excessive garlic consumption quickly contributes to a “garlic cloud” odor that follows them around, causing discomfort to others in their environment. On the other hand, there are food types, mostly vegetables, which are known to reduce the scent of perspiration: sprouts, parsley, and watermelon. That being said, it is hard enough to achieve a significant change in eating habits, let alone to reach an improvement in the sweat odor of a person.

It is reasonable to recommend that people who suffer from a strong sweat odor try and avoid situations of over sweating (such as after eating spicy foods that can cause sweating) and we may somewhat neutralize a strong odor by drinking squeezed lemon or chewing green vegetables that are rich in chlorophyll (known as a natural odor neutralizer).

The most common and well-known option is to use deodorant of all types, colors, forms, and scents. The deodorants kill the bacteria and fungi responsible for the sweat and dissolve the scent that follows. These products may come in various types (gel, spray, etc.) and some of them include perfume that may cause an allergic reaction. To minimize the possibility of allergic reactions I recommend on using paraben-free and alcohol-free products.

The use of products with aluminum may be more effective since aluminum can reduce the sweating process but it may often cause redness, irritation, and skin sensitivity. Therefore, some experts claim it’s best to reduce the use of it.

Strong odor is usually a sensitive issue, and therefore must be dealt with gradually, while trying to isolate the cause in order to focus on alleviating the symptom. Possibly, using the right deodorant, drinking squeezed lemon several times a day, and eating green vegetables may significantly relieve those who suffer from this problem.