Scrolling through the vast landscape of social media, it’s easy to stumble upon trends that make bold claims about enhancing your body in various ways. Among these, the hashtags #CoochieCocktail and #KittyJuice (let’s just say, we’re not fans of these terms) have gained popularity, with people exploring ways to improve vaginal taste and odor. Between viral TikTok videos and an influx of articles offering tips on how to make your nether regions smell like a bouquet of flowers, it’s clear that this topic is on a lot of minds.

But how much of this is rooted in science? And, more importantly, what should you actually be doing to maintain a healthy vaginal environment?

The Role of Diet in Vaginal Health

First off, let’s set the record straight: while there’s no concrete scientific evidence to support most of the claims made about specific foods and their impact on vaginal taste and odor, what you eat does play a role in your overall body chemistry. In particular, your diet can influence the composition of your sweat and other bodily secretions.

A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that the food you consume can affect the smell of your sweat. Garlic and onion, for example, might lead to a rancid or cheesy odor, while choline-rich foods such as egg yolks and red meat could cause a fishy smell. While these findings relate to sweat, the principle could extend to vaginal secretions as well.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, an expert in women’s health, echoes this sentiment: “Foods and other things that you intake into your body can definitely impact your body’s excretions. Your sweat, vaginal secretions, even male semen, are all impacted by what you eat and drink,” she says.

So, while it’s worth being mindful of your diet, it’s equally important to understand that your natural smell is just that—natural. Unless you’re dealing with a health issue like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast infection, there’s no need to worry about how you smell. And if someone is pressuring you to change that, well, it might be time to reevaluate that relationship.

Foods That Could Potentially Improve Vaginal Taste & Odor

If you’re curious to see how your diet could influence your body’s natural scent, here are a few foods that some people swear by:

Kimchi
This fermented Korean dish, made from vegetables like cabbage and radishes, is packed with probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can help maintain a healthy balance in your gut, which might indirectly affect your vaginal health as well.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Known for its antimicrobial properties, ACV is often touted as a way to maintain a healthy pH balance in the vaginal area. While there’s no harm in adding a diluted splash of ACV to your diet, remember that it’s not a miracle cure and should never be used internally.

Sauerkraut
Another fermented food, sauerkraut is rich in probiotics, which could help support a healthy balance of bacteria in your body. However, as with all foods, individual reactions can vary, so what works wonders for one person might not do much for another.

Pineapple or Cranberry Juice
These juices are legendary in the world of ‘coochie cocktails.’ Anecdotal evidence suggests that consuming sweet fruits like pineapple can enhance the natural sweetness of bodily fluids. While scientific support for this claim is limited, many people believe it works.

M Berry Tablets
While not specifically for vaginal health, these tablets contain a glycoprotein called miraculin that temporarily alters taste perception, making sour things taste sweet. Some people have experimented with their partners taking these before oral sex to enhance the flavor experience.

Foods That Might Affect Vaginal Taste & Odor Negatively

Just as some foods might have a positive impact, others could potentially have the opposite effect:

Sugar
A diet high in sugar can increase glucose levels in vaginal fluids, creating an environment that’s ideal for yeast growth. This can lead to yeast infections, which are often accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

Bread
Similar to sugar, bread (especially in large amounts) can contribute to conditions that promote yeast overgrowth. Again, this doesn’t mean you need to swear off sandwiches forever, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re prone to yeast infections.

Asparagus
Asparagus is famous for its ability to make urine smell funky due to its sulfur content. Some people claim that it can have a similar effect on vaginal secretions, though there’s no hard science to back this up.

The Bottom Line: Probiotics Are Your Friend

When it comes to maintaining a healthy vaginal environment, probiotics are a tried-and-true option. Products like Dear Kitty Vaginal Probiotics have garnered positive reviews for their ability to support vaginal health and balance, with many users noting improvements in odor.