Why Does My Breath Always Stink After Eating Garlic?

Ever since I harvested my garlic, garlic is all I can think about.  I want it in everything.  I’m telling you, there is just nothing like fresh garlic–and unfortunately, there’s nothing quite like garlic breath either.  I’m pretty sure that whole garlic to keep away vampires thing should apply straight across the board–vampires, the HH, the kids, and regular ol’ folks who get too close, {hey, maybe this is the solution to my personal bubble issues?}  Seriously, why the heck does garlic have such a profound effect on your breath…for days?

Well, of course you know I did a little research. 🙂  According the NPR article I found, it turns out, garlic makes your breath stink because it contains a compound called allicin.  That compound breaks down into four other compounds, one of which is allyl methyl sulfide.  Sulfides are pretty tough for us to break down, so while our bodies work on metabolizing them, they seep into our bloodstream, sweat, and urine {jeez, no wonder garlic makes you smell, it pretty much attacks you}.  It takes an average person 48 hours to metabolize {and therefore neutralize} the compound–that’s why you can smell garlic on your skin and breath for days.  {Some people take even longer.}

I am going to admit, knowing this will probably not stop me from putting garlic into everything I make for awhile {chocolate garlic cupcakes, anyone?}, but at least now I know, and if anyone will get close enough to me, I’ll be happy to explain it.

~Mavis