What Foods Cause Bad Breath?
Bad BreathEveryone knows that food can cause bad breath. After all, it is common knowledge that you do not want to stand too close to someone who has just finished consuming a feast of onions and garlic. They are going to smell horrible. But what other foods cause bad breath, and why? And how can their effects be averted.
The reason that foods cause bad breath is the components they are made of are also those that must be metabolized for bacteria in order for them to grow and thrive. There are a number of foods that provide this service. One of the most common (and little known) is sugar. Most bacteria must metabolize some form of sugar or another in order to survive, whether it be lactose, maltose, glucose, galactose or sucrose. Foods that are rich in these sugars provide a virtual feeding frenzy for the bacteria that thrive on them, resulting in increased growth and the release of the sulfuric substances that cause bad breath in humans. You are probably well aware that items such as chocolate bars contain sugar, but candy is not the only culprit. Soda is very high in sugar, as are many of the fortified cereals currently on the market. Breath mints are loaded with sugar, as are many types of gum. Many foods have high fructose corn syrup listed as one of the main ingredients. This is sugar. If you suffer from bad breath you should be sure to steer well clear of those products.
Dairy is another major contributing factor to chronic halitosis. A number of bacteria are actually differentiated in a medical laboratory on the basis of whether or not they are able to metabolize lactose; therefore, it stands to logic that products containing lactose would contribute heavily to bacterial growth. Anyone suffering from chronic halitosis should keep their dairy consumption to a minimum. This includes milk, cheese, ice cream, milky gravies and yogurt.
In addition to dairy, foods which are high in acid also present a prime opportunity for bacterial growth and the subsequent halitosis. This includes coffee (yes, decaf too), tomato juices and any juice or food which is high in citrus (lemons and lemonade, oranges and orange juice, grapefruits and grapefruit juice and pineapple and pineapple juice, to name a few). Foods that are high in protein are also a problem, and individuals who suffer from halitosis and suspect it may be related to their diet should attempt to limit their consumption of beef, chicken and fish.
In addition to specific foods which contribute to the production of substances which can be metabolized by bacteria foods that dry the mouth out will also contribute to halitosis. This includes alcohol (yes, all kinds) and smoking cigarettes. Anyone who suffers from halitosis and believes it to be due to xerostomia, or dry mouth, should keep a careful eye on their mouthwash as well. Many mouthwashes have a high alcohol content to help with their bactericidal properties, but along with the death of bacteria this alcohol also serves to dry out parts of the mouth.
These foods are not the only ones to contribute to bad breath; they just happen to be the most common. Anyone suffering from chronic halitosis and unable to trace the cause should see their doctor to discuss a change in diet.
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