Garlic is a staple ingredient used in various cuisines across the world. It adds a distinct flavor and aroma to dishes and is used in almost all savory recipes.

However, consuming garlic leaves a pungent odor in your breath, which can be embarrassing at times and difficult to deal with. The after-effects of consuming garlic can last for hours, making it difficult to attend meetings, social gatherings or talk to people. The good news is that there are ways to neutralize garlic breath, and it can easily be done with one ingredient.

This article will discuss how to get rid of garlic breath with this one ingredient that everyone should have in their kitchen.

The Culprit Behind the Garlic Breath

Before discussing the one ingredient that can neutralize garlic breath, it is important to understand what causes garlic breath. The pungent smell of garlic is due to the presence of sulfur compounds such as allicin.

Allicin is present in raw garlic and is released when garlic is chopped, crushed or chewed. When garlic is consumed, the sulfur compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and then travel to the lungs and other organs. When these compounds are expelled through the breath, they cause the typical garlic breath odor.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

One of the easiest ways to get rid of garlic breath is to brush and floss your teeth after consuming garlic. Brushing and flossing will help remove the garlic particles from the mouth and also clean the teeth and gums.

Make sure to brush and floss thoroughly, including the tongue, as garlic particles tend to stick to the tongue and the roof of the mouth.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash is also an effective way to neutralize garlic breath. It contains ingredients that kill bacteria in the mouth and leaves a fresh minty smell.

Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after brushing and flossing to get rid of any remaining garlic particles and to kill bacteria that cause bad breath. Choose a mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride, as these ingredients have been shown to be effective in reducing garlic breath odor.

Chew on Parsley

Parsley is another kitchen ingredient that can effectively neutralize garlic breath. Chew on a few sprigs of fresh parsley after consuming garlic. Parsley contains chlorophyll which helps mask the odor of garlic.

It also contains enzymes that break down sulfur compounds and reduce the garlic breath odor.

Drink Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another effective ingredient that can neutralize garlic breath. After consuming garlic, drink a glass of lemon water to help reduce the odor of garlic.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which helps kill the bacteria that cause bad breath and also has a refreshing scent.

Drink Green Tea

Green tea is not just a healthy beverage, but it can also be useful in reducing garlic breath odor. Green tea contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.

Drinking green tea after consuming garlic can help reduce the odor of garlic. Green tea has a refreshing scent and also helps improve digestion.

Chew on Coffee Beans

Coffee beans are another surprising ingredient that can effectively neutralize garlic breath. Chew on a few coffee beans after consuming garlic to help mask the odor of garlic.

Coffee beans have a strong scent that can help neutralize the sulfur compounds in garlic.

Consume Milk

Milk can also be an effective ingredient to neutralize garlic breath. It contains fat and water-soluble vitamins that help neutralize the sulfur compounds in garlic. Consume milk after consuming garlic to help reduce the odor of garlic.

It also has a refreshing taste and can help soothe the stomach.

Chew on Cardamom Seeds

Cardamom seeds are another kitchen ingredient that can help reduce garlic breath odor. Chew on a few cardamom seeds after consuming garlic to help mask the odor of garlic.

Cardamom seeds have a strong aroma that can help neutralize the sulfur compounds in garlic.

Final Thoughts

Garlic is a delicious and essential ingredient in many cuisines. However, the after-effects of consuming garlic can be unpleasant and embarrassing. The good news is that there are many kitchen ingredients that can help neutralize garlic breath odor.

Brushing and flossing your teeth, using mouthwash, chewing on parsley, drinking lemon juice or green tea, consuming milk, chewing on coffee beans, and chewing on cardamom seeds are some effective ways to neutralize garlic breath. So, the next time you consume garlic, try these simple remedies to get rid of garlic breath instantly.