Ginger helps halitosis sufferers breathe easier

A cup of ginger tea could beat bad breath, a study has found.

Research shows the spice contains a chemical that destroys sulphur containing amino acids – a major cause of halitosis.

The key is gingerol, the ingredient that gives the root its flavour. It breaks down foul-smelling substances by triggering an enzyme in saliva.

Adding a pinch to food, or brewing ginger tea, may combat the social problem that causes embarrassment for one in four people.

The study, by chemists at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, is published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.