Bad breath may be 'cured' with common snack - it's effective against garlic

30 September 2023 , 07:08

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Natural yogurt may be the end of 'garlic' breath (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

After a generous helping of garlic bread, you may decide to cover your mouth when talking with others or even reach for your toothbrush - but there may be a solution that is a popular grocery item that is in your fridge right now: Greek yogurt.

Research suggests that following up with a spoonful of yogurt may prevent garlic breath altogether, according to a study published in the journal 'Molecules'. Scientists from Ohio State University discovered consuming some natural yogurt, may help get rid of the smell of garlic from your breath. From the findings, the proteins found in whole-milk plain yogurt are able to neutralise the sulphur-based compounds that cause the unpleasant smell.

Natural yogurt was found to be 99 per cent effective at combating garlic breath (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The team of scientists placed equal amounts of raw garlic in glass bottles before adding different yogurts to the same bottles. They discovered yogurt was 99 percent effective at reducing the garlic compounds, specifically, yogurt with high levels of protein and yogurts with high fat content.

Dr. Sheryl Barringer, the senior author of the study said: "High protein is a very hot thing right now. Generally people want to eat more protein," which may indirectly help with the garlic smell as well as making you feel fuller for longer.

Interestingly, the team found that fried garlic was also tested but proved to not have the same effect as frying it significantly reduced the concentration of most of the odour-causing compounds. With the findings from this experiment, there could potentially be new products formulated to eradicate the garlic odour, using fat and dairy proteins.

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The conclusion of the results led to a potential follow-up experiment to test the effectiveness that the yogurt has on minimising breath odour after the consumption of garlic.

In the meantime, Greek yogurt, which has a higher protein content than natural yogurt, may be the most effective way of combating garlic breath. Along with flavoured yogurts, which would potentially work as they are advised to be consumed shortly after a garlicky meal.

Kelis Cassia Edwards