Can Garlic Help You Win a Woman Over? Scientists Explore How Food Affects Dating

Before a first date, it is worth thinking about more than just what to wear — what you eat may also make a difference. Researchers have found that diet can influence first impressions, affecting everything from skin tone and body odor to facial flushing and even pupil size.

Victoria Strandlund, a nutritionist at the Lifesum app, reviewed scientific studies exploring the link between diet and attractiveness. She shared which foods might help people look and feel their best before a romantic encounter — and which ones may be worth avoiding temporarily, according to the Daily Mail.

The list of potentially helpful foods includes carrots, tomatoes, chili peppers and even garlic. Red meat, fizzy drinks and legumes, meanwhile, may be best left for another day, particularly if they tend to cause digestive discomfort.

Carrots and Tomatoes for a Healthy Glow

According to Strandlund, the foods people eat over several weeks leading up to a date can subtly influence their skin tone.

Carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and leafy greens contain compounds that may give the skin a healthier, more attractive appearance.

The nutritionist cited a six-week study in which increased fruit and vegetable consumption was accompanied by measurable changes in skin color. Around three and a half servings of these foods a day were enough to produce changes that researchers associated with a noticeable improvement in skin attractiveness.

Spicy foods can also affect appearance. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for chili peppers' heat, can cause facial flushing. Some studies suggest that a slight blush, often associated with good health, may make a person appear more attractive.

However, the nutritionist advises against trying to manufacture this effect. Feeling comfortable and confident is far more important.

Garlic: The Unexpected Secret to an Attractive Scent

One of the most surprising findings comes from research on garlic. Despite its reputation for causing bad breath, studies have found that women rated the body odor of men who consumed more garlic as more pleasant, attractive and less intense.

The specialist emphasized, however, that body odor and breath odor are two different things. She therefore does not recommend deliberately eating garlic before a date in the hope of becoming more attractive.

If you do decide to include it in your dinner, it is worth considering its potential effect on your breath. According to the nutritionist, raw apple, fresh lettuce leaves and mint may help reduce garlic's characteristic smell.

Coffee May Affect Your Eyes

Another intriguing detail involves coffee. In one study, researchers found that caffeine could increase pupil size in low-light conditions. However, there is no convincing evidence that this directly makes a person more attractive.

So, a cup of coffee before a date may help you feel more alert, but it is hardly a proven secret to seduction.

What to Avoid Before a Date

Some foods may affect body odor or cause discomfort that could spoil an evening.

• Red meat. Some studies have linked its consumption to less attractive body odor.

• Fizzy drinks. In people who are sensitive to them, they can cause bloating and discomfort.

• Beans and lentils. These foods are rich in nutrients, but they can cause excess gas in some people.

• Sugar-free gum and mints. Sugar alcohols used as sweeteners in these products can cause digestive problems.

The nutritionist does not recommend eliminating legumes or other nutritious foods from your diet altogether. Instead, it is more important to consider your individual tolerance and choose familiar foods before a date — ones that are unlikely to leave you feeling uncomfortable.