Why Your Body Odor Changed—and What You Can Do About It Naturally

TCM holds that body odor often arises from internal imbalances, often influenced by diet and lifestyle.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Has your body odor become more noticeable? Body odor is not always just about genetics or underlying health conditions—your diet and daily habits also play a big role in your scent. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners often adopt an effective approach that begins by regulating your body’s constitution, then reinforcing it with natural therapies.

Tsai Yi-Fang, a nutritionist at Taiwan KOII Nutrition Consultation Center, told The Epoch Times that body odor mainly arises when bodily secretions are broken down by bacteria on the skin’s surface. If your diet is improper, odor is amplified and harder to ignore.

Eating Habits Affect Body Odor

Several common types of foods and dietary behaviors are associated with stronger body odor:

Spices and Sulfur-Containing Vegetables

Some spices and vegetables naturally contain odor precursors. After being metabolized by the body and further broken down by skin-surface bacteria, they may produce stronger odors, Tsai said. Examples include cumin, turmeric, onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms, and asparagus.