How to Remove Garlic Smell from Your Breath
Garlic produces cysteine sulfoxide, which gives it the distinct odor and taste. These sulfuric compounds are similar to compounds produced by the bacteria that cause bad breath.
The worst part is that the smell of garlic may stay in your lungs for 24 to 48 hours after you consume it. Also, your hands can smell of garlic if you’ve prepared the food.
But as garlic has many nutritional and medicinal properties, you cannot simply stop eating garlic altogether. Garlic is an excellent source of magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, and selenium. It also possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and many other medicinal properties.
Luckily, there are several easy ways to prevent or solve the problem of lingering garlic odor.
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1) Noxzema:
Garlic-scented body lotion!
2) A potato:
The person who suggested this didn’t specify whether or not the potato should be boiled, so, ever the diligent researcher, I cut my potato in two and threw one half into a pot. The raw potato did absolutely nothing so I figured she must have meant boiled. I took my boiled potato out of the water and instantly burned myself. Whatever. I’m a cook. Alas, after cooling, there seemed to be no odor-eliminating powers in the potato.
3) Pam or olive oil:
I drizzled some olive oil over my semi-burned hand (its coolness felt so good I wondered if it could be a burn remedy as well?) and then set to work smashing another garlic clove, which proved a bit difficult because of the slide-factor. A small cut. Great. Then I smelled my hands. How lovely. Italian garlic bread.
4) Toothpaste/mouthwash:
I opted for mouthwash. OK. This seemed to work (and burned like crazy on my newly nicked skin, but hey, it’s an antiseptic right?). A little faint hint of garlic smell, but overall, nice, minty hand! We were getting somewhere.
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5) Apple
Apples contain oxidizing enzymes, which is why they change color when cut and left exposed to the air for some time. These same enzymes can help neutralize garlic odor and get rid of Garlic Breath. Also, the phenolic compounds in apples help destroy the volatile compounds in garlic that cause the lingering odor.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Food Science found that eating raw apple may help reduce garlic breath. Other than apples, the study also found that lettuce is good for removing garlic odor in the mouth or on the body.
When you’ve got garlic breath, eat an apple to get rid of it.
Also, drinking a glass of fresh apple juice will do the trick.
6) Milk
Milk is another natural ingredient that provides a very easy way to neutralize garlic breath.
In a 2013 study published in the Journal of Food Science, researchers found that drinking milk while eating garlic-heavy food can reduce the malodorous breath associated with garlic consumption. According to this study, both fat-free and whole milk lowered the concentration of volatile odor-emitting compounds from garlic in the nose and mouth. Due to its higher fat content, whole milk was found to be more effective.
Simply sip a glass of milk to reduce garlic breath effectively.
7) Mint Leaves
Mint leaves have a significant deodorizing effect on volatile garlic compounds.
The chlorophyll in mint can help mask the garlic smell. Plus, it has mild antiseptic properties that help reduce bad breath caused by bacteria.
Chew on some fresh mint leaves and you will have minty fresh breath.
Drink soothing mint tea to fight garlic breath. To make the tea, add 1 tablespoon of crushed mint leaves to 1 cup of hot water. Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes, then strain it. Add a little honey before drinking it.
Crush mint leaves with your hands and rub mint juice on your hands to get rid of garlic odor lingering on your hands.
