While many people in Mzansi enjoy atchar, there’s a widespread belief that it has a unique way of making its presence known by affecting body odour, particularly in the armpits.
Anande Khumalo from Johannesburg says atchar is tasty but it affects the smell of her armpits.
“Atchar is very delicious; it’s just unfortunate that the aftereffects of it aren’t so pleasant, so I actually hardly ever eat it anymore. Not because I don’t enjoy it, but because of the smell.”
Causes bad body odour
Khumalo says eating atchar affects mainly the armpit area, and it tends to smell like the atchar itself.
“After eating atchar, there is a very sour or vinegar-like smell. It’s very potent. There aren’t any changes in the body physically; however, your urine will be a little darker and also have that same atchar stench as the underarms,” she says.
Confirming the observation of a smell following atchar consumption, Itumeleng Nkoana from Johannesburg mentions that he usually detects its effects about two hours later.
“Once I eat atchar, my armpits have a funky smell; it has its own calibre of aroma. It primarily affects the armpits, and after a couple of hours, the aroma becomes noticeable,” he says.
Specialist dermatologist Dr Mamello Ntsele from Durban explains that the active ingredients in atchar that could affect body odour include methi/fenugreek seeds, sulphur from onion and garlic if taken in large amounts, and a curry blend.
“People are different, and different foods and spices are metabolised (processed) differently, resulting in by-products that interact with bacteria and sweat in the skin and give off a distinctive smell.”
Stop the funky smell
To mitigate any unpleasant armpit odour after consuming atchar, Ntsele suggests:
- Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as regular showering, using deodorant or antiperspirant, and wearing clean clothes, can help reduce body odour, regardless of the foods or spices you consume.
- Medically addressing excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Reduce your intake of spicy foods, if indicated. The problem is more when the spicy or implicated foods are taken in large quantities regularly.
Meanwhile, she points out foods we are unaware of that can contribute to bad body odours, such as alcohol and caffeine, which can lead to dehydration; certain vegetables that produce sulphur, such as cabbage and broccoli; and highly processed foods with artificial ingredients and preservatives.
Additionally, she recommends home remedies on how to get rid of bad armpit smells:
- Drinking water helps to dilute the sweat and detoxify the body.
- Clean eating: fresh foods and less processed foods.
It’s important to note medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis, which entails excessive sweating, and bromohidrosis, which is associated with bad body odour. Such conditions can be caused by underlying medical issues, and seeking medical assistance may be necessary if general measures do not resolve the problem.
ALSO READ: Halitosis: The stinking realities of living with bad breath
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