Jennifer wants an odor eater: I’m intrigued by a product called Body Mint, which claims that it reduces body odor of all kinds (underarm, breath, foot) from the inside out using chlorophyll. Is this a scam? The Left Brain clears the air:
What is Bodymint?
As you can see from their website, Body Mint tablets “are made from an all-natural, highly specialized, derivative of chlorophyll” and their “unique formulation give it the uncommon power to reduce body odors from multiple sources, like bad breath, underarm and foot odor.” Sounds good, eh? But anything that sounds too good to be true usually is. Here’s the real scoop:
What is chlorophyll?
It’s the pigment that gives plants their green color. But more importantly, it allows them to use sunlight to manufacture the carbohydrates that all living things use as food. It can do this because the chemical bonds in the chlorophyll molecule can absorb visible light.
What does chlorophyll supposedly do?
According to one health food store pamphlet, chlorophyll can help cure trench mouth, tonsillitis, vaginitis, bladder diseases, high blood pressure, tooth decay, arthritis, athlete’s foot, constipation, rectal fissures and laryngitis. It also helps destroy bacteria and soothe gunshot wounds. I’m no doctor, but it seems to me that if you’re suffering from rectal fissures and gunshot wounds, a little bad breath is the LEAST of your problems!
What does chlorophyll really do?
Not much, according to Quackwatch, a scientific website that specializes in debunking false claims. Read for yourself…
Most claims that chlorophyll products can heal, kill bacteria, and remove odors are based on research performed early in the 20th century, before antibiotics were available to fight infections. Although many of these studies are considered invalid by modern scientific standards, there is evidence that chlorophyll can kill certain types of bacteria. It is not a practical choice, however, because very high concentrations are needed for any positive effect and modern antibiotics are far more effective anyway. Also, although chlorophyll kills some bacteria, it actually promotes the growth of others.
What about deodorizing properties?
Despite the sales hype, in products sold to the public, it doesn’t have any. According to John C. Kephart, who performed studies at the laboratories of The National Chlorophyll and Chemical Company about 20 years ago, “No deodorant effect can possibly occur from the quantities of chlorophyll put in products such as gum, foot powder, cough drops, etc. To be effective, large doses must be given internally” [Journal of Ecological Botany 9:3, 1955].
So, Jennifer, it looks like BodyMint is a scam. Don’t throw away your Listerine mouthwash or your Degree deodorant!
Why should you believe our brainy bashing of Body Mint?
The source of these Quackwatch quotes is an article written by Dr. Lowell who, at the time, was Professor of Life Sciences at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona and vice-president of the National Council Against Health Fraud.
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I hate it when companies market to our worst fears. Now excuse me while I go and get my hair highlighted to cover my gray.
I have suffered from halitosis and i tried body mint recently and it worked for me. I can def tell a difference and even people have told me that my problem is better. I think it is a miracle pill really. Have you even tried it??
This article, and the one it quotes from in Quackwatch, are very very disappointing.
While insinuating that the product under review can’t be any good, they haven’t actually tried it, nor do they refer to any research or even incidental information from someone who has.
Indeed, they key quote in the Quackwatch article about why chlorophyll can’t be any use is from 1955 (!!).
This article just adds noise to the debate without providing any useful factual information
Is everything learned in 1955 no longer valid? I guess we better re-think the whole idea of gravity since that was worked out in the 1700′s.
Gathering anecdotal evidence from people who have tried the products is mostly a waste of time. People are easily fooled, especially after they’ve spent their hard earned money on a bogus product. We’d be happy to reverse our position on this one if you could show us some proof that chlorophyll has any impact on body odor.
Where is the science?
Like others, I’m looking to see if it’s ‘To good to be true’. Reading that 1955 report, it says ‘to be effective large doses must be given internaly’ isn’t that just what bodymint does?
Following up on your reports that chlorophyll is a antibiotic has got me to doing more research and it makes interesting reading. Bodymint make no claims to such antibiotic effect why would they, as the FDA would come down on them ‘like a ton of bricks’. But reading some of the reported side effects it suggests there may be some form of antibiotic effect, if this is the case it is bad news, a daily dose of antibiotic won’t do your gut any good, indeed we are encoraged to take probiotics to help our health.
I have tried Body Mint and it worked so well for me that I won’t go without it! I agree with Amanda! As for the possible antibiotic effect, I also take a 10 million lactobacillis tab (from WalMart)nightly to counteract the 10 years of antibiotics prescribed for me by dermatologists (in the 1960s-1970s). Can you imagine 10 years of antibiotics wreaking havoc in your body! Please don’t knock a product if you have not tried it. Perhaps Body Mint works best on the people who need it most? Body Mint helped tremendously with halitosis, underarm and foot odor. I always wanted to use a natural deodorant and when I take Body Mint the natural deodorant works well for me!
WOW. I’m doing a project and this is sooooo wierd. If this is from the 50′s does that mean that bodymint is that old too? Guess so. I’ve heard great and awful things about it though.
body mint works. i had the same feeling before buying it; but after two days, i really could go without my deodorant.
That last quote says clorophyll works if taken in large doses internally, which is exactly what happens when you take BodyMint twice a day with a meal.
Nice article, its full of crap but entertaining none the less. The articles big gun is some Professor of Life Sciences at Pima Community College in Tucson. Is that even a real college? Most respected professors teach at Universities, not community colleges sorry to say. And if this so called professor really knows what he’s actually talking about, and his opinion is widely accepted as fact, again… why is he not at the University level? I’ve taken Body MInt, yes, I’ve really taken it, and it works tremendously well. Im not someone going by research and facts on paper, Im an actual user so I know firsthand, it works. For you losers that think you know everything because you’ve read it on the inernet…. stop being fools. Take the damn product then comment. Until then STFU. Have a nice day, now go read a book.
Max – Thanks for the excellent examples of classic logical fallacies including Ad Hominems and the Anecdotal fallacy. You’ve shown everyone exactly what can happen when you put 100% faith in your own experience and completely reject logic and data. Bravo!
I am the most skeptical person and I tried body mint…It works…No matter what anyone says, try it and see for yourself…you’ll feel the difference almost right away…definetly within 2-3 days…I don’t have body odor but it helped my breath tremendously…now I can do those kissing scenes in film and theatre…
I never tried it but I would like to know how many positive review are from the BodyMint company themselves telling lies to sell there product….if any of you here are then I hope you go straight to hell and you will!
As for the product CNN had a piece on it and people gave it positve reviews,when I get the money I will try it for myself and post back.
it works… however, i can only take one pill a day or it gives me tummy aches…but one pill a day does help my bad breath. i wish i could take two pills a day as directed.
for the skeptics… i notice that when i am using this product, people dont move far away from me when i’m talking to them. i also notice that i dont have to go through tins full of breath mints per week.
The key ingredient Chlorophyllin absolutely works taken twice a day and three times a day during certain times of the month. You can purchase it less expensive then Bodymint from Walgreens online for only $9.99 for sixty day supply under the name of Femfresh. Same ingredients just different presentation
It always amused me with the expert who claims a product is hoax because its not scientifically proven.
What about those expensive scientifically proven and tested medicines which killed millions,are they also hoax??
If you think a hoax works for you why worry about the expert claims,the main thing that you’re getting better.
The irony is,that pharmaceuticals industries copying the substance from hoax medicines and claims as their own.
Just because you can’t prove it wrong does’t mean you’re right!!!
It amuses me that people will believe things without proof. I have a magic rock in my pocket that will make me live forever. Try to prove that I don’t.
The point is, it’s impossible to “prove” anyone wrong about anything. That’s why the burden of proof is on the person asserting a claim. If you don’t feel bad about believing in hoaxes, feel free to do so. If you care about truth, then you should require proof that things work. That’s what the Beauty Brains is all about. We’ll believe anything, as long as it’s adequately proven.
I agree with your last statement. Just because you think you’re right, doesn’t mean you are. Science always finds new data that shows our past beliefs were wrong. But the key is to have proof that you were wrong. Not to believe in fairy tales.
It’s funny how everything these Brain people reply to a comment they ignore the ones that say the product works miracles.
Claims that the product works miracles are never supported by facts. They are just opinions that could have simply been written by the manufacturer of the product. How would anyone know the difference?
I have read what everyone has written and agree with all, but if brain is going to say it is a hoax then they should prove it and conduct there on experiment. That would be the scientific way or that is what I was taught in school.
While an experiment would be nice, you can’t possibly test every crackpot theory. You also can’t prove a negative. You can only prove positive statements.
For example, if I said
“There’s an elephant living on Mars. Prove me wrong.”
You wouldn’t be able to do it.
That’s why in science, people are required to bring proof that what they say is true. It’s not up to everyone else to prove me wrong. The assumption in science is that theories are untrue. Only positive statements supported by data can be definitively said to be true.
But can prove a negative. That is why you have a hypothis to prove or disprove. where did you learn how to do an experiement? As for example I can take pictures of Mars and show no elephant.
That doesn’t prove there is no elephant on Mars. I can just say your photographs missed the elephant. It moves around a lot and you just missed it. For every bit of proof you can give as to why the elephant isn’t there, I can come up with some plausible explanation for your evidence.
You misunderstand the scientific method.
I was skeptical, but gave Body Mint a try about seven years ago because I had problems with underarm and foot odor. My shoes – even new ones – smelled so bad that I was ashamed to remove them when anyone else was around.
I only take one tablet a day, but it has completely eliminated both the foot odor and underarm odor, too – and my significant other tells me my breath smells much better even in the morning before I brush my teeth! I have stopped using underarm deodorant completely, and “Odor Eaters” for my athletic and other shoes are a thing of the past. It’s not just me who notices the difference – my whole family agrees.
I don’t know exactly how it works, but I don’t really care. Once, when I stopped using it, the odors came right back. When I resumed the Body Mint, the odors were gone again. I suspect any brand containing the same ingredients would work, but I have stuck with Body Mint ’cause I know they work. Lots of family and friends have also begun using it, and every one notices a positive difference.
The “Brain” people are very self serving, aren’t they. Ideally, they would prove us with adequate facts to support their theories. But one doctor from some junior college in the dessert is not a valid source. If you have more than 5 responses suggesting that it works, there must be something more to it. But the brains hate to be proven wrong. So they use words like fallacies and question OUR logic by giving a product a try. Who is the real crackpots? Us, for even consulting this silly site.
You misunderstand science. We love to be proven wrong. We just require “proof” to be swayed. Not responses on a website. Anyone, can write anything on the Internet. That doesn’t mean it’s true. Those 5 responses you site could all be written by the same person who’s trying to sell the product. They don’t help prove anything.
If you have some sort of scientific study to support your belief in this product, we would love to see it and be proven wrong.
A group of five us decided to try this product. The only one who didn’t like it is the one who tried it one day and stopped. The rest of us were happy with the results. The only complaint is the price. You still need to bathe regularly and if you have an extreme odor problem it may be reduced as opposed to eliminated, but this is no hoax.
This products works really well, here’s proof haven’t taken a shower in a couple days, and I don’t smell no bo or anything.
There’s a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with this product, if you don’t like the product just return it.
Hey, here’s a thought. Why not TRY the product first before slamming it. it might work, and you’d sound a lot smarter if you knew first hand. I actually bought the stuff and liked it. I bought in when I was on Vacation in Oahu, but can’t find it here in the U.S. I’m going to the website and but more. I can’t trust this site if you just review things based on what other people say.
We use scientific reasoning & research to determine whether a product can be effective as it says or not. Anecdotal stories and personal experiences are not good for answering questions like “Does it work?”
This product, and it’s claims about the benefits of chlorophyll, are not supported by science. People might try it and like it but that doesn’t mean the product works. People are easily fooled by their senses.
The Body Mint doesn’t work! I take it as what labeled, but my breath still stinks. I think it’s just a placebo.
wow, I used to like this site, but now its a joke. Why body mint is a disappoint-mint? how can you say that if you never even tried it? People are easily fooled by there senses? Are people easily fooled by other peoples senses as well? This stuff works. You dont need to spend 20 bucks on bodymint, just pick up any chlorophyll supp. I got mine off bodybuilding.com for 5 bucks and it works real good, or atleast my senses and everyone elses tells me
I bought two bottles of bodymint at a fleamarket for just a dollar each (because of the bottle date). I always had a smell when I was physically active. But now taking a pill before I go do some type of activity, I noticed that while I still sweat, it doesn’t smell bad. So it seems to work.(When my bottles run out though, I’m not sure I want to pay that company’s prices) Just because scientists have not discovered why something works, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. That’s why doctors tell people not to think that taking multi-vitamins to get nutrients replaces fruits and vegetables, because scientists have not isolated all the properties in foods that have beneficial effects. So I’m not too impressed with a ‘scientists haven’t found’ argument to say something doesn’t work. Especially if I’ve used it myself and it does. Just like gravity still had an effect of people before it was “worked out in the 1700’s.”
I meant “effect *on* people”. But you probably already figured that out.
I wish this stuff worked. Tried it and got diarrhea instead of deodorizing effects.
hi everyone!
I orderd one bottle of body mint… i stered to take and for 2dsy nothing changed..
For a lon time ive problem wv my stomach and tne consequence is bad breath..nobody never ever told me i have.. but i know.. i feel the metallic taste in my mouth and stomach burns at all times!
So on the third day i woke up wv a fantasti feeling.. my stomach didnt burn me at all.. and later on i just realzed i feel fresh smell on my breath!!!
I dont know how but that pill really works on me..
problem with western scientific approach is that the one-size fits all is pervasive in our culture and train of thought and this is unfortunately used for all drug testing and double-blind studies unfortunately. FDA is a joke. Eastern medicine considers each individual wholistically. Your blood and chemistry react differently to different foods, drugs and environmental factors. I am glad that this works for some and not for others- perhaps this will provide everyone a perspective on this. The metallic smell or bad odor comes from diet, blood chemistry and other environmental factors combined with the state of the person’s constitution, mental makeup, activity, rest level etc. taking chlorophyll to reduce the symptom is a small part of the solution.
Totally Funny Review From The Site Owner.
I suspect that, from the highly radical defense of the inefficiency of the product without first hand experience, may be the website owner is getting some sort of commission from the deodorant producers.
I am using another brand of chlorophyllin, and it really works for all kinds of bodily odor. Some sort of interesting to see why it is too much controversially debated by the blog owner.
Another comment that the website owner made was:
——————————-
~qute
“Is everything learned in 1955 no longer valid? I guess we better re-think the whole idea of gravity since that was worked out in the 1700’s.”
~end quote
——————————-
And much more before that, earth was thought to be flat.
The main thing to emphasize is to find the average of all the trials, data, evidence and tests conducted in the most recent modern world when reviewing a product. To give a quotation from 50 years ago and to show it as a source for your claims is simply funny. There are hundreds of trials/tests made very recently with the newest techniques that are more reliable. Look at them one by one and review accordingly. Just to write a blog in order to fill a place in your site that will bring visitors and showing one result from 50′s is funny.
In response to the scientific study posted in this review, most notably:
“No deodorant effect can possibly occur from the quantities of chlorophyll put in products such as gum, foot powder, cough drops, etc. To be effective, large doses must be given internally”
The study does NOT say that chlorophyll is ineffective as a deodorizer, but rather the quantities contained in commercial products (at that time) were insufficient to do so.
It also states that large doses must be given internally.
Please reference these additional scientific journals below. They state that between 100mg – 300mg of chlorophyll resulted in decreased fecal odor from colostomy patients as well as those suffering from Trimethylaminuria. It is also noted that 75mg resulted in no significant odor decrease.
If you read the daily dosage on the back of the Body Mint box/label, it clearly states that 1 tablet = 100mg. Recommended use indicates that a person should take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 at night. My math might not be up to par, but I’m pretty sure that equates to 200mg of chlorophyll per day.
Also, as the research quoted on this website’s review stated, “large doses must be given internally”…
Body Mint is a tablet….
23. Chernomorsky SA, Segelman AB. Biological activities of chlorophyll derivatives. N J Med. 1988;85(8):669-673. (PubMed)
24. Siegel LH. The control of ileostomy and colostomy odors. Gastroenterology. 1960;38:634-636. (PubMed)
25. Weingarten M, Payson B. Deodorization of colostomies with chlorophyll. Rev Gastroenterol. 1951;18(8):602-604.
26. Christiansen SB, Byel SR, Stromsted H, Stenderup JK, Eickhoff JH. [Can chlorophyll reduce fecal odor in colostomy patients?]. Ugeskr Laeger. 1989;151(27):1753-1754. (PubMed)
27. Young RW, Beregi JS, Jr. Use of chlorophyllin in the care of geriatric patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1980;28(1):46-47. (PubMed)
28. Yamazaki H, Fujieda M, Togashi M, et al. Effects of the dietary supplements, activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin, on urinary excretion of trimethylamine in Japanese trimethylaminuria patients. Life Sci. 2004;74(22):2739-2747. (PubMed)
Can we change the title of this Blog article? Nice word play usage, but it implies that the product does not work.
“Life is about finding what works for you.”
I agree that science is about fact. I also agree that not all things are provable, yet we know them to be true.
Based on the number of positive experiences written and the deep conviction of those writing in… I’m finding way more happy people than “disappointed.”
@Michael – Anecdotal reports on a Internet website are not proof of anything. Anybody can write anything. All of the comments could’ve simply been written by the same person & that person may just work for the company. (Not saying it is, just saying it’s possible).
All anecdotal information found on the Internet should be met with extreme skepticism.
This is why we base conclusions on science rather than anecdotal, unproven evidence. And the best science says this product doesn’t work.
@thebeautybrains
“I have a magic rock in my pocket that will make me live forever. Try to prove that I don’t.”
That’s easy. Someone could take that rock, bash your brains in with it and kill you. That would, in essence, prove that your “magic rock” does not make you live forever. So, kind of bad example. Plus you would die. Not that I would do that, but maybe a “scientist” from a community college might….
@duh – funny but it’s a tiny rock and would be difficult for anyone to kill me with it. It’s also got this special power where someone thinks they killed me but in reality it just looks like I’m dead. As soon as you’re gone, I wake back up again.
@thebeautybrains
I just typed up a response, but I don’t know where it went. Anyway…
Your science reference states that large doses are required for it to be effective. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t state or imply to me that chlorophyll doesn’t work.
I posted a few journals that support the clains of the product. But hey, it’s your blog.
Gotta love the Internet. It’s always good for a laugh.
Bodymint worked like a miracle for me. i have tried other chlorophyl pills and they worked ok but bodymint worked great! if it doesnt seem to be working just double your doses. after you take it for a while it and lets say you stop for a month or too your body for what ever reason stays on track like your still taking them.
oh, and ya people on here could be from the company but i dont think there waisting there time trying to fool people and the bottle is only 20 bucks. to anybody thats curious, just try it. you’ve waisted your money on dummer things in life. and if it works for you like it did for me and still does, your taking that chance is so worth it. you will also see that you wont have wet spots under your arms if thats a prob too.
I’m considering ordering the product, to try it myself. I do wonder how you can “review” a product you have not tested. I write reviews for other types of products, and would not depend on the word of anyone else before making statements that others can take as “fact.”
When there is no scientific evidence backing up claims & no plausible reason something should work, there really is no reason to try a product. People are easily fooled by packaging and marketing. This doesn’t help to determine whether a product really works or not.
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