Scientists at Ohio State University have discovered that eating yoghurt can neutralize the bad breath caused by consuming garlic. The protein in whole-milk plain yoghurt works to counteract the sulphur-based compounds that cause garlic breath. The study, published in the scientific journal Molecules, found that yoghurt was most effective in eliminating garlic breath if consumed soon after a garlic-containing meal. Other foods such as lettuce, apples, milk, and mint have also been shown to combat garlic breath.
The researchers conducted experiments by placing equal amounts of raw garlic in glass bottles, allowing the offending sulphur-based volatiles to be released. Using mass spectrometry, the scientists measured the levels of volatile molecules before and after each treatment. They found that yoghurt alone reduced almost all (99%) of the major odour-producing volatiles in raw garlic. The fat, water, and protein components of yoghurt were also tested separately and all had a deodorizing effect on garlic, with fat and protein performing better than water. Higher butter fat was found to be more effective in eliminating the odour. Various proteins, including whey, casein, and milk proteins, were studied and all showed effectiveness in deodorizing garlic, with a casein micelle-whey protein complex performing the best.
Dr Sheryl Barringer, a senior author of the study and professor of food science and technology, explained that high protein foods have become popular and could potentially be marketed as a breath deodorizer. She expressed her excitement about the protein's effectiveness, noting that advising people to eat high-fat foods for fresher breath would not be well-received. The researchers also tested the deodorizing effects of yoghurt on fried garlic and found that frying significantly reduced the odour-causing compounds.
Dr Barringer stated that while the study laid the groundwork for exploring different proteins to create a garlic breath eradicator, Greek yoghurt, with its higher protein content, could currently be the most effective option. She emphasized the importance of consuming yoghurt immediately after eating garlic and suggested that even flavored yoghurts could work. The researchers are planning follow-up breath tests on humans as the next step in their research.
themes: Ohio
