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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Blonde #1 Says:
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.
Amanda Says:
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??
Martin Says:
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
Left Brain Says:
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?
colin Says:
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?
colin Says:
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.
Sistergal Says:
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!
spin doctor Says:
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.
jack Says:
body mint works. i had the same feeling before buying it; but after two days, i really could go without my deodorant.
Bob Says:
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.
MaxfromOC Says:
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.
Left Brain Says:
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!
Maui Melody Says:
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…
BigJack Says:
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.
wvg Says:
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.
Brandy Says:
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
smart alec Says:
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!!!
thebeautybrains Says:
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.
beautylames Says:
It’s funny how everything these Brain people reply to a comment they ignore the ones that say the product works miracles.
Left Brain Says:
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?