Why does garlic smell so good when you are cooking but makes your breath stink after you eat it?

Answer 1

When we eat anything, it passes into our intestine. Bacteria in the intestine break the food into things that can be absorbed by our body. As the bacteria work, they give off waste as gas. While most of this gas is given of by flatulence, some of it is absorbed by the blood, where it finds its way to the lungs. We then exhale this gas, which due to the especially pungent qualities of garlic, retains the smell. This is why it doesn't happen with all foods. The difference between this and burping, is that a burp comes from the stomach, carrying all of the smells in the stomach up with it. Garlic breath actually comes from the intestine, which is why it can occur for up to 4 hours after eating.

Answer 2

Both garlic and onions are high in sulphur.

As the garlic is processed by the body, a certain amount of the sulphur is converted to a sulphur compound similar to hydrogen sulfide, the rotten egg smell. This compound excreted from the body both thru' the lungs and sweat.

There is a wild variety of onion known as Carrior Flower. It looks like the ornamental onion, alium, but the flower smells like rotten meat.

Answer 3

I think we should all ask an Italian this question. maybe we could get an honest answer from this one. But until then, lets keep eating our garlic. yum yum

Answer 4

it smells good, tastes good...what more can you ask.do you really expect it to keep us with a good or at least normal smelling breath!?!


but just in case, bring some breathmints!

Answer 5

eat some parsley its a breath feshener

Answer 6

The same reason why coffee does that, to piss us off!

Answer 7

B/C IT ALL APART OF THE BITTER SWEET THINGS N LIFE.....