In an interesting discovery, the results of a recent study suggest that garlic can decrease male armpit body odor, increasing their desirability to women. (Image : Pixabay)
SEOUL, Nov.13 (Korea Bizwire) – In an interesting discovery, the results of a recent study suggest that garlic can decrease male armpit body odor, increasing their desirability to women.
According to The Telegraph, a British daily journal, research teams at Stirling University in Scotland and the University of Prague in the Czech Republic conducted a study on the influence that eating garlic has on a man’s desirability to women.
The 42 men who participated in the experiment were asked to eat raw garlic, garlic capsules, or no garlic at all, and place odor absorbing pads in their armpits for 12 hours to capture their body odor.
The research team then asked 82 women to smell the odors and evaluate them based on their pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity and intensity.
The results showed that women tended to feel more attracted to the smells gathered after the men ate garlic and garlic capsules. However, differences did not occur from the odor gathered without eating garlic when only small portions were eaten. Furthermore, no differences occurred when the garlic was eaten with bread or cheese.
The group that ate either four cloves of garlic (12 grams) or a capsule approximating 12 grams of garlic was the most desirable among women.
The research team explained that the antibacterial function of garlic thins out the concentration of bacteria that causes body odor, making armpits smell ‘sweeter’.
Researchers also explained that an individual’s breath plays an important role in their relationship with other people. “In the same way, armpit smell is also an important factor in intimacy.” The team also inferred that woman might have evolved to be attracted to men who eat foods that are rich in nutrients like garlic.
In addition, the research team commented that garlic could have cast a positive influence on odors created from sweat, as garlic has antibacterial and anti-aging functions.
The results of the study were published in Appetite, a food and health magazine.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
