Get Rid of Garlic Breath by Changing What You Drink

Garlic tastes good - and its good for you. Studies show it helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, and it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Unfortunately, all of those benefits come with a price - garlic breath. Most people will agree its not so pleasant being around someone whos just eaten a loaf of garlic bread or chewed on a clove of garlic - and the smell can hang around for hours - or even days. Can you stop garlic breath naturally - by changing what you drink?

Get Rid of Garlic Breath by Drinking Milk?

A recent study published in the Journal of Food Science concluded that getting rid of garlic breath could be as simple as drinking milk before and after eating garlic. Can it really be that simple?

Through laboratory testing, researchers discovered that milk neutralizes some of the odor-producing components in garlic that cause garlic breath odor - safely and naturally. Its a good reason to get a milk mustache if youre a garlic lover.

What Causes Garlic Breath Odor?

There are a variety of natural chemicals in garlic that cause breath odor including diallyl sulfide, allyl methyl sulphide, allyl mercaptan, and methyl mercaptan.

Is full-fat milk better than skim milk for getting rid of garlic breath odor?

Because whole milk is higher in fat, its better for neutralizing diallyl sulfide and allyl methyl disulfide since theyre fat-soluble compounds. Both skim and whole milk neutralize the other compounds in garlic that cause garlic breath odor.

To get maximum benefits, whole milk is an overall better choice for neutralizing smelly breath from eating garlic.

When Should You Drink the Milk to Stop Garlic Breath Odor?

When you drink a glass of milk plays a role in how well you neutralize the smell of garlic breath odor. Drinking milk after eating garlic has less odor-fighting power than drinking it at the same time youre eating it. Ideally, drink a little milk before eating garlic, some more during the meal, and a little after you finish.

Getting Rid of Garlic Breath: The Bottom Line?

Garlic is too full of health benefits to give up entirely. Eat garlic to your health, but wash it down with a glass of milk. The people around you will appreciate it.

References:

Food Navigator website. "Milk could stop garlic breath, says study"