Scientists may have identified the true culprit for body odor (BO).
Working up sweat triggers the release of a distinctly pungent scent, and research suggests that a warm, moist armpit provides the perfect breeding ground for bad-smelling bacteria.
Read more: Teenagers can’t smell their own BO
However, this may not tell the whole story: A team at York University believes that an enzyme may also be to blame.
While many turn to antiperspirants in an attempt to control their BO, the scientists hope their discovery will lead to more specialized treatments for critically ill patients.
While most people experience BO at some point in their lives, severe cases can affect self-esteem, leading doctors to prescribe stronger antiperspirants or even surgery to remove the sweat glands.
“Solving the structure of this ‘BO enzyme’ has allowed us to determine the molecular pathway within certain bacteria that produce odor molecules,” said study author Dr. Michelle Rudden.
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“This is a key advance in understanding how body odor works and will allow the development of specific inhibitors that stop BO production at the source without disrupting the armpit microbiome.”
The armpits harbor a diverse community of bacteria that make up the skin’s microbiome.
Scientists discovered that only bacteria that contained the “BO enzyme” caused an unpleasant odor.
The results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggest that this enzyme existed long before Homo sapiens evolved.
This implies that BO may have played an important role in communication between ancestral primates, according to the scientists.
“This research was a true revelation,” said Dr. Gordon James of Unilever, who collaborated on the study.
Read more: Why do some people not have to use deodorant?
“It was fascinating to discover that there is a key enzyme that forms odors in just a few armpit bacteria and evolved there tens of millions of years ago.”
People can avoid BO by washing problem areas, such as the armpits and feet, at least twice a day with soap and drying them thoroughly.
Shaving your armpits regularly, doing laundry, and using natural fabrics like cotton can also help.
It may also be advisable to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or smelly foods.
