You probably know that onions are a great source of sulfur compounds, vitamin C, phytochemicals, and flavonoids. It doesn't matter if you eat them cooked or raw because the health benefits stay the same and provide you with a comprehensive array of nutrients.

However, one small fact is also important when it comes to onions - the nasty breath you have for hours after eating onions. That bad breath is why some people avoid eating onions during the day because it is an annoying smell that it difficult to get rid of.

If you want to know the tips to eliminate onion smell on your breath, keep reading...

Why Do Onions Cause Bad Breath?

The first thing you need to understand is why the unpleasant odor happens in the first place. There are numerous reasons why this happens, but the primary one is due to the sulfuric compounds found in onions.

The main chemical in the onion that causes bad breath is allyl methyl sulfide which is a chemical that gives off a foul smell. Brushing your teeth and/or rinsing your mouth will not completely solve the problem because the sulfuric elements enter your bloodstream after eating. The smell exudes from your body when you breathe out and can even come from your pores during hot weather.

Tips to Get Rid of Bad Breath Caused by Onion

1. Brush and floss

The first thing you should do right after you eat onions reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to bad breath by flossing and brushing your teeth.

2. Rinse with mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth with strong-smelling mouthwash is one of the best ways to reduce bad breath. Do it immediately after eating, and you will notice a difference. However, don't overdo it though, because overuse of mouthwash can be problematic, especially if you use an alcohol-based one.

3. Tongue cleaners

Some people choose to use a tongue scraper to try to remove bad breath. We already mentioned the smell comes from inside the body, but keeping your mouth clean and healthy will reduce will reduce bacteria and lessen the smell. The idea is to clean your tongue as well as the roof of the mouth. By using a scraper, you will be able to remove microbes, dead skin cells, and particles of food that all contribute to bad breath.

4. Eat fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables

By eating fresh herbs along with vegetables and fruit either during your meal or afterward, you can sometimes cover the smell of onions. According to some studies, raw lettuce or raw apples after a meal can significantly decrease onion odor and bad breath. When it comes to herbs, keep in mind that chewing parsley is a great option and one of the oldest remedies for bad breath. Chewing mint leaves is another option because they have the strength to deal with bad breath caused by onions.

How to Remove Onion Smells from Your Hands and Kitchen

• Stainless steel soap

Stainless steel soap doesn't work for bad breath, but it does help get onion odors off your hands. It has to do with the chemistry of stainless steel in combination with onion. We have mentioned above that the onion contains a lot of sulfur which creates odor and smell. When you're cutting an onion, its molecules enter your skin, and you can't remove those molecules by washing with simple soap. However, as soon as you touch stainless steel, the sulfur molecules from your hands will transfer to the stainless steel soap, leaving your fingers free of that irritating odor.

• Lemon juice

Lemon juice is a handy remedy for removing the onion smells from your hands and kitchen. However, if you have cuts on your fingers, you should avoid it because the cuts will burn as soon as they come in contact with the lemon juice.

• Salt and baking soda

People with sensitive skin should avoid lemon juice and choose salt combined with baking soda instead. Simply mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of salt and a little water. Rub the mixture into your hands and then wash, and you will notice a difference in a matter of seconds.

Take Home Message

We have presented you with some great options for eliminating onion smell in your breath. It is really quite simple to do so, and eating onions are healthy so don't avoid them just because of the unpleasant smell.

You can learn more about this particular topic by watching this video: