It might seem that a man who has consumed garlic should provoke a negative response in women. However, it is not so straightforward, as discovered by scientists from Charles University in Prague and Stirling University in Scotland.
They conducted three subsequent experiments involving 42 men, scent donors, and 82 women who evaluated it. Underarm pads absorbed sweat over 12 hours. Each participant was assessed both after eating garlic and without it.
Women rated on a scale from 1 to 7 for parameters of pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity, and intensity. It turned out that 12 grams of the pungent product significantly improved perception. Specifically, after garlic, men’s underarm scent seemed more agreeable, appealing, and masculine to women, and less intense. The effect was confirmed using both fresh garlic and garlic capsules. Meanwhile, consuming 6 grams of the product (about 2 cloves) did not cause notable changes.
According to the researchers, this influence of garlic might be linked to its antioxidant effect. The food shields cells from oxidative stress, which can affect sweat composition. The antibacterial action also plays a role. Garlic suppresses the growth of skin bacteria that convert odorless secretions into characteristic body odor. Reduced bacterial activity lessens the aroma’s intensity.
The evolutionary perspective is also significant. “A preference for body odor after consuming beneficial foods might have evolved as a mechanism for selecting a partner with good health. Garlic possesses numerous medicinal qualities, and its impact on scent could signal robust immunity and overall physical condition,” the investigators suppose.
The scientists’ work shows that this food, contrary to the common belief about its negative impact on body scent, can actually make underarm “fragrance” more agreeable and attractive. This opens new avenues for understanding the link between diet, body odor, and social perception of people.
Important: the effect emerges with moderate garlic consumption and does not negate the need for using hygiene products.
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