In this heat, it’s hard to smell daisy fresh all the time. I occasionally take a stealth sniff to make sure my deodorant is working, and carry baby wipes in my bag, for a quick refresher when I get to the office.
While there isn’t much we can do to keep from perspiring, there are some tips to keep us as odor free as possible.
Caffeine can trigger body odor, because it stimulates our sweat glands. When sweat mixes with bacteria, it smells bad. Conversely, drinking lots of water can dilute the perspiration and diminish the unpleasant odor.
Sage tea has antiseptic compounds that can help reduce sweating by relieving stress in the body. Sip the tea, or add it to your bath to reap the benefits.
Zinc is a mineral that regulates detoxification by controlling how your body handles waste. Foods high in zinc are oysters, pumpkin seeds, beans, yogurt and wheat germ.
You are what you eat, literally! Strong smelling foods like garlic and curry can seep out of you pores and leave a strong “not-so-nice” smell in its wake. Sulphurous foods, such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli can emit a gas through your skin as well.
Red meat causes stagnation in the digestive system. It putrefies in the digestive track, releasing toxins into your large intestine. All of the other “no-no’s” in a healthy diet such as refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, processed foods and white flour are also B.O. producers. Yet another reason to avoid consuming unhealthy foods. Clean up your eating and your natural scent should improve as well.
Of course none of this replaces a good old soapy shower! Be sure to dry off completely, as the bacteria that causes body odor develops more quickly on wet skin.
While clothes may smell just fine when you take them off, as the sweat dries and then gets “re-ignited” the next time, it packs a foul punch. Trust me, those gym clothes are not ok to wear again tomorrow!
photo: Glasshouse Images
Indigo jones 