【Foods That Cause Bad Breath】

Foods That Cause Bad Breath

1. Mint Candy and Chewing Gum

Many people enjoy chewing mint candy or gum to freshen their breath, not realizing that this practice can do more harm than good.

Experts say most mint candies contain sucrose, which is "food for bacteria."

When bacteria break down sugar, they release sulfur compounds, worsening bad breath.

2. Meat

Consuming too much meat results in excessive protein intake,

which the body cannot digest and absorb in time.

The amino acids in the protein can be broken down into ammonia,

which may be expelled through the mouth,emitting an odor similar to excrement.

Additionally, protein is hard to digest and absorb, leading to food accumulation in the stomach and worsening bad breath.

3. Alcohol

People who frequently drink alcohol are at a higher risk of bad breath.

Alcohol is a diuretic, and excessive drinking can lead to dehydration of the mouth, brain, and body, hindering normal saliva secretion.

Saliva contains substances that break down and wash away odor-causing bacteria, so over-drinking inevitably worsens bad breath.

4. Carbonated Drinks

Carbonated drinks have a high sugar content.

If consumed for long periods, the residual sugar in the mouth can ferment and form ammonia, a source of bad odor.

Moreover, the irritating gases in carbonated drinks can evaporate and take away moisture from the mouth, making bad breath more noticeable.

5. Garlic

Garlic is an essential seasoning in daily life,

but its odor can linger in the mouth for a long time after consumption.

This odor cannot be broken down further in the body

and can only be expelled through breath, sweat, and urine.

Therefore, even after brushing and rinsing, the garlic smell is hard to eliminate.

6. Dairy Products

Some people cannot digest the sugar in milk due to lactose intolerance, making it difficult to digest dairy products like cheese, cake, yogurt, etc.

The enzymes or bacteria responsible for breaking down lactose malfunction release large amounts of gas during digestion, leading to bad breath.

7. Strong-Smelling Foods

Foods like stinky tofu and rotten eggs have strong and pungent smells, directly contributing to bad breath.

Foods That Freshen Breath

1. Green Tea

Green tea contains polyphenols and polysaccharides that can temporarily reduce mouth odor.

2. Herbs

Herbs like chamomile and mint are rich in antibacterial compounds that can prevent bad breath.

Drinking herbal tea not only cares for oral health but also reduces bad breath with its aromatic flavor.

3. Sour Fruits

The citric acid in sour fruits has antibacterial properties and promotes saliva secretion.

If you notice bad breath, chewing a dried plum or eating citrus fruits like oranges and apples can serve as a quick fix to prevent bad breath.