Garlic makes almost any meal better. Just because of the smell, you shouldn't eat it before a date or an important meeting. Where does that persistent garlic smell come from?
You may have noticed that a whole bulb of garlic doesn't stink. As soon as you cut, crush or squeeze a clove, the scent is really released. The substance you smell is allicin, but a chemical reaction quickly takes place and various substances and enzymes are released.
One of the substances that is released is allyl methyl sulfide. It takes a long time before this substance is broken down by your body and that is the crux of the matter:the substance ends up in your bloodstream and finds its way out through your breath and sweat glands. That's why you can sometimes smell so bad of garlic after a meal. Brushing your teeth therefore helps a little, but it does not dispel all the garlic odor.
Is it too late and have you eaten garlic yet?
There are a number of ingredients you can eat to combat garlic breath and odor.
