Why Does Sweat Smell?
Believe it or not, sweat is basically odorless. Now, I know you are not buying this factoid if you are often in the company of a smelly sweater, but it is true. Sweat is made up of water and salt, neither of which produces a smell. The odor comes from your perspiration coming in contact with bacteria on your skin, which can come from a multitude of sources. We will explore some of them here:
Diet – What we eat can affect how our bodies smell. If you are one of those people who have a hard time metabolizing foods like eggs and fish (foods containing choline), your sweat may have a ‘fishy’ smell. Fatty and greasy foods can also be a source of odor, and anything containing garlic, onions or hot spices are especially known for their smelly results.
As these foods are digested and your system works to rid itself of waste products the body will give off odors depending on how it can metabolize what was ingested. I know someone who intentionally ate loads of garlic to ward off mosquitoes…. he also repelled his friends!
Toxins – Along with our food and drinks, there are toxins in our homes and in the air around us. Our bodies have to get rid of them somehow, and sometimes it is through our skin. If you smoke and drink, then your body odor will probably be much different than if you did not.
Imbalances – These can be as a result of diet, vitamin deficiency, or hormones. If you eat a lot of meat, or the reverse are a vegetarian, your body odor probably has a very distinctive scent. Lack of enough Vitamin C, magnesium or zinc may be the cause of odor. Hormonal imbalances in teens, men (testosterone) and women going through menopause can all result in changes of body odor.
Illnesses/Diseases – Body odor can be a result of some diseases, such as diabetes, metabolic acidosis and scurvy, to name a few. Bacterial infections of the sinuses, respiratory system, throat and mouth can also be a factor.
Changing some habits, and trying some easy home remedies may successfully manage most body odor conditions. For excessive sweating cases resulting in higher than normal body odor, the addition of prescription deodorants may be the solution.
