Struggling with Bad Breath? A New Study Might Surprise You

Persistent bad breath can be embarrassing and concerning. Though common, its underlying causes remain largely unknown.

Recently, a research team from Nijmegen University in the Netherlands decided to investigate the causes of halitosis (commonly known as "bad breath"). According to findings published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics, they discovered a genetic mutation causing a defect in the digestive system.

The most common source of halitosis is bacteria in the mouth that break down into sulfur compounds, yet for those with chronic bad breath, the cause often remains mysterious. Between 0.5 to 3 percent of the population suffers from chronic bad breath of unknown origin. While various diseases can impact the esophagus and nose leading to bad breath, it may also be due to a hereditary blood disorder.

Professor Kent Lloyd from the research team explained: "It is crucial to identify the cause of chronic bad breath and differentiate relatively harmless causes, such as gum disease, from more severe ones like liver cirrhosis."

Dr. Albert Tangerman from Radboud University initiated the research several years ago with Ron Weavers, a lecturer on congenital metabolic problems. During their studies, they identified a rotten-smelling sulfur compound named methanethiol. According to Professor Weavers: "Methanethiol is produced in large amounts in the intestines and can come from food. We believe that the protein responsible for eliminating methanethiol was defective in these patients," although they still have not determined the body's process to neutralize this compound.

A few years later, researcher Arie Pol made further advances in the study conducted by Tangerman and Weavers. Pol managed to identify the human protein that converts methanethiol into other compounds. The research team examined patients suffering from chronic bad breath to see if they possessed the gene responsible for this protein. They discovered all the participants had a mutation of this gene. Furthermore, high levels of methanethiol were found in their blood.

In conclusion, the researchers noted that the information they gathered indicates a congenital metabolic defect responsible for the absence of an enzyme that eliminates methanethiol, leading to the syndrome of bad breath. However, they also added: "Theoretically, this syndrome might be a congenital metabolic defect that could potentially be treated through diet."