Eating a Ton of Garlic Makes Men’s Armpits Smell Better

If you’ve ever worried that eating too much garlic would make you reek—think again. According to a new BBC feature exploring how food affects body odor, men who load up on garlic actually smell more attractive to women. Yes, garlic. The same stuff that keeps vampires (and maybe coworkers) away could be your new secret weapon.

The Study That Sniffed Out the Truth

Researchers had dozens of women rate the scent of men’s armpits after different diets. The guys who ate tons of garlic were rated as having the most pleasant and even “sexiest” body odor. Garlic supplements worked too—so if you’re not a fan of reeking like an Italian restaurant, you’ve still got options.

So why is this happening? The lead researcher, Jan Havlíček of Charles University in the Czech Republic, says, “We replicated this study three times because we were really surprised.” His team believes women may be subconsciously picking up on the health benefits of garlic—like its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties—which make men smell healthier overall.

Goodbye Stink, Hello Sizzle

It’s not just garlic changing your scent story. Other foods, like cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts), can crank up the stink factor. Meanwhile, a balanced diet with fruits, veggies, and a bit of meat can help you smell fresh and inviting.

While garlic might not do your breath any favors, it could make your natural scent way more appealing. So next time you’re cooking dinner for date night, go ahead—double the garlic. Just maybe keep the mints handy.