Most of us have experienced the unpleasant body odor in crowded trains, restaurants, and other public places. Body odor occurs when bacteria that live on the skin break sweat down into acids. People who are obese, eat spicy food, and suffer from diabetes are more prone to suffering from body odor. Here are some ideas on how to stop body odor.

• Focus on total cleanliness: Make sure you bathe at least once a day. It is important to use soap or an antibacterial agent rather than simply rinsing with water. This will help remove sweat as well as bacteria that help create body odor. Showering multiple times is an effective way to stop body odor. Body parts that are most prone to body odor, such as the feet, armpits, pubic hair, and genitals can be swept clean of sweat and bacteria. It is critical to dry yourself completely after showering. Moisture can get trapped in places like between the toes, your belly, and breasts, allowing bacteria and fungi to prosper here. To stop body odor, one can use a blow-dryer to dry these places and ensure complete cleanliness.
• Fix your diet: Spices and pungent ingredients, such as onions and garlic can also cause body odor. The metabolism by-products of such foods are absorbed into the bloodstream and released through the lungs, leading to body odor. Avoid eating spicy foods and those containing pungent ingredients to stop body odor. Fiber-rich foods can also cause body odor. The same attributes of these foods which help us feel full for longer also cause gas. Hence, they often leave the body in the form of flatulence. These foods should be introduced over a period of some weeks so that the body can adjust. Plenty of liquids should be consumed through the day so that the fiber can easily move through the body. Protein-rich diet plans which lead to low carbohydrate consumption can also lead to body odor. This is because carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of fuel and when proteins replace carbohydrates, ketones get released into the bloodstream. This leads to bad breath smell. In order to stop body odor, adequate carbohydrates need to be consumed.
• Relax and reduce stress: Stress taps into the body’s primal flight or fight mechanism which has been trained to release sweat to manage stress. Stress sweat contains lipids which act as food for bacteria. This makes the smell of this sweat worse than that of activity sweat. There are various options available to reduce stress and stop body odor. Tea varieties, such as sage tea, antiperspirants, therapy, and yoga are effective tools for stress management. For more serious cases, one could resort to botox injections in the armpits which would enable one to stay free of body odor for up to seven months. Work pressure and the rush to meet deadlines often leaves people with little time to eat their meals properly. Hurried eating can lead to burping and release of gas. In order to stop body odor, people should give themselves time to chew properly and eat when they are in a calm, relaxed frame of mind.
• Use natural acids: Apple cider vinegar and apple juice are examples of natural acids which prevent the growth of bacteria and help to stop body odor. However, they should be used sparingly as they can lead to irritation. For instance, if you are putting a couple of drops in your bath water then make sure that you do not have any cuts or scrapes on your skin.
• Choose moisture wicking fabrics for working out: Spandex is tight-fitting, rubs against the skin and leads to body odor as sweat gets trapped. Moisture wicking fabrics prevent the growth of bacteria. Brands, such as New Balance and Merreloffer have fabrics made of a natural material which is odor repellent. Gym clothes also need to be washed often as these clothes absorb sweat and sweaty clothes provide a ready breeding ground for bacteria.
• Clean your underarms: This is a good option for both men and women. Sweat gets accumulated in armpits and provides an environment where bacteria can thrive. Regularly cleaning or waxing your underarms will help to stop the body odor and accumulation of bacteria.

  Body odor results from various factors, such as lack of personal hygiene, unhealthy diet habits, and high levels of stress. All these factors need to be combated to stop body odor. If you are wondering how to stop body odor, follow a holistic strategy that focuses on health through personal cleanliness, a balanced diet featuring non-pungent natural foods, and relaxation. These steps would help the body release sweat that is not broken down by bacteria, thus preventing the creation of body odor. Releasing sweat is important, and therefore, these steps would allow the body to release toxins through sweat without creating body odor.