Diet gun

Bad breath (also called halitosis) is caused by possible health conditions, long-term habits, and the consumption of certain foods.

The most well-known health conditions that can lead to bad breath are diabetes mellitus, liver or kidney disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, infections in the nose, throat or lungs, gastroesophageal reflux disease, oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Long-term habits that can also cause halitosis are smoking, chewing tobacco, and poor or no oral hygiene, which results in gingivitis.


However, there are also certain foods that can cause bad breath, these are the following:

1. Garlic

Garlic, due to its sulfur content, not only lingers on your breath long after you eat it, but it is also absorbed into your bloodstream, allowing a secondary wave of odor to enter your lungs, where it can escape freely through your mouth.

2. Onion

Similar to garlic, the smell of onions lingers long after you’ve eaten them, due to the sulfur compounds they contain.

3. Dairy

Bacteria in your mouth break down the proteins in dairy products, producing sulfur compounds that result in bad breath.

4. Fish

Strong-smelling fish, such as tuna or salmon, can leave a bad smell in your mouth. Especially most canned fish as the fish oxidizes in the can creates a smell that remains in the mouth.

5. Alcoholic beverages

Consuming alcohol creates bad breath. Frequent excessive alcohol consumption causes a decrease in saliva production resulting in an increase in odor-causing bacteria. These bacteria can remain in the mouth for up to 10 hours after the end of drinking.


These foods, in addition to drinks, are essential to have in the diet of every person who wants to have a healthy nutrition.

When we want our breath to not smell for any reason, and we do not have a habit or health condition that can create it, it is wise not to consume such foods for this specific time and perhaps a little earlier.