Why Does Garlic Make Your Breath Smell Like Garlic?

When you eat garlic, your body breaks it down into tiny chemical pieces. One special piece is called allicin. It turns into something that smells strong and gets into your blood.

Most people think bad breath comes from their mouth. But with garlic, the smell actually comes from your lungs! The chemicals travel through your blood to your lungs. When you breathe out, the smell leaves your body.

Your stomach digests food quickly, but your body takes time to get rid of these smelly chemicals. They stay in your blood for hours or even a whole day. That is why you might still smell like garlic at dinner the next night. Drinking water helps wash some away, but only time can fully remove the scent from your lungs.