A sleep expert has revealed a 52p food that could help naturally eliminate morning breath. Snacking on this before bedtime could prevent unwanted halitosis when you wake up.

While brushing and flossing your teeth is a given, what you eat before bed can play a big role in how your breath smells when you wake up.

According to one expert, there’s a more effective way of getting rid of bad breath in the morning than reaching for mouthwash. 

Sleep expert Adeel Ul-Haq from DivanBeds.com shared an unusual hack – that eating parsley could do the trick.

He said: “No one wants to wake up with bad breath, and while mouthwash is a quick fix afterwards, eating a small handful of parsley just before bed can keep those odours away.”

Why parsley fights morning breath

Parsley contains something called chlorophyll which is a natural compound that has mild deodorising properties. While we often think of parsley as a garnish, chewing it before bed helps to fight the bacteria that grow inside our mouth overnight causing these unpleasant smells.

Adeel continued: “Parsley is also rich in antioxidants and supports your digestive system. 

“Bad breath often starts in the gut and then gets worse in the mouth, and unlike mouthwash using parsley doesn’t dry out the mouth, which can lead to further unpleasant smells.”

How to use parsley for fresh breath

Acording to Adeel, the method is simple, all you have to do is chew a sprig of parsley for 30 seconds after brushing your teeth, this can help freshen your mouth and reduce any bacteria that can cause morning odour.  

“If you aren’t a fan of the taste of parsley on its own, you can add it to a small salad, just make sure it’s raw and fresh,” he said.

Avoid these foods before bed

While adding parsley to your evening routine can work wonders, you can help yourself out by avoiding other foods. Sugary treats, garlic-heavy meals, and even that nightcap that you enjoy will do more harm than you realise.

Foods such as garlic and onions contain sulphur compounds that can be found in your blood and lungs hours later, meaning that these nasty smells can resurface even after brushing your teeth.

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Adeel added: “Avoid sugary snacks, garlic-heavy food and alcohol late at night, they feed bacteria and dry out your mouth which makes your breath unpleasant in the morning, even brushing your teeth won’t fully undo the effect if those foods are lingering in your body.”

At the time of reporting, you can buy a bag of parsley from Sainsbury’s for 52p.