Even if you are not nervous or toiling hard, the thought of body odor can make you sweat. You have only your own body to blame since it releases a distinctive smell because of your regular bodily functions. When certain compounds are released in excess and accumulate on the skin, body odor becomes pronounced. It is common during puberty when hormones run amok in the body and also accompanies certain conditions like diabetes and hyperhidrosis.

Lifestyle tips
While pit stains and body odor influences the way you go about your day, introducing some lifestyle changes can reduce how much you sweat and smell. The following tips can go a long way.

1. Water, water, everywhere
Drink a lot of water. While sweat is essentially water, it is only the salts and chemicals that produce an odor. By drinking a lot of water, you can dilute your sweat and reduce the smell. But also, the high water content in the body helps your body keep cool and makes you sweat less.

2. Shower frequently
You should certainly hit the showers at least once a day. Apart from getting rid of sweat, you can remove bacteria from the skin, reducing the odor and the chances of microbes multiplying. Remember to wash regions that sweat more, like the armpits, back of the knees, and groin. Try to use antibacterial soap as it will ensure that bacteria does not add to your body odor.

3. Stay dry
You can mitigate sweat and body odor by staying dry. After showering, dry yourself thoroughly and wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. At least the ones closest to your skin must be in natural fabrics because dampness increases the chances of bacteria colonizing your skin. Breathable fabrics also ensure that your sweat does not stain and give you away.

4. Anti-sweat diet
Certain foods can increase sweat and body odor. Foods with a lot of sugar and sodium increase the salt in urine and sweat. Foods high in fat warm the body as well. Avoid garlic, onion, coffee, beer, spicy meals, and foods with high-fat content because all of these induce or increase sweating. On the other hand, foods with high calcium content like dairy, almonds, whey, bananas, oats, sweet potato, watermelon, broccoli, cauliflower, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and olive oil help reduce sweat and body odor.

5. Use antiperspirants
If you are perspiring, antiperspirants are an obvious solution. If you do not want sweat stains, switch from deodorants to topical antiperspirants. These kill odor-causing bacteria and simultaneously block sweat glands in the armpit. Remember to shave and keep yourself smooth and clean because hair can get in the way of antiperspirants. If over-the-counter antiperspirants do not work, speak to your doctor about a stronger one for which you can get a prescription.

6. Avoid coffee and cigarettes
Smoking is harmful for a lot of reasons. It increases the risk of cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease and also affects body temperature. Smoking also results in faster heartbeats and makes your sweat glands work overtime. Similarly, caffeine stimulates the nervous system and increases blood pressure which results in the same effect.