7 things that can cause your body to smell bad

Regular bathing and personal care can help prevent body odor, but there are other seemingly unrelated reasons why your body can smell bad and be difficult to clean. The Popular Health Network recently published an article summarizing 7 surprising reasons for body odor.

1. Too much stress

There are many different types of sweat, based on their chemical makeup, and the worst-smelling type is the type produced under stress. This is because it is secreted by a type of sweat gland called the apocrine gland. The sweat secreted by the apocrine glands has a low water content, and bacteria multiply rapidly in the mixture of fat and protein in the sweat, so it has a strong odor. Sweat from exercise or hot weather is mostly made up of water and electrolytes, so the smell isn't that strong.

2. Genetics

The sweat secreted by the feet contains a large number of bacteria. Since the toes are in a dark, warm and humid environment, it creates ideal conditions for the reproduction of bacteria, especially when wearing socks. But 10% to 15% of people are born with sweatier feet. This particularly humid environment becomes a breeding ground for a specific type of bacteria (Micrococcus inhabitans), which produces unpleasant odors such as sulfide.

3. Not washing bras frequently

Many lace bras may be made of fabrics that have the function of storing odors. Also, because the bra is in close contact with the body, it is more likely to come into contact with sweat when you sweat, so you need to change and wash it frequently, otherwise it will develop an odor.

4. Love to eat cauliflower

Eating garlic and onions regularly can induce body odor. Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables also contain smelly compounds (usually sulfur), which can cause the eater to emit a foul odor all over the body.

5. Suffering from fish odor disease

This is a rare disease caused by a mutation in a specific gene. It causes the body to be unable to break down a compound called trimethylamine. Trimethylamine makes fish smell fishy; when it accumulates in the body, it is released through the breath, urine and sweat, giving the patient a fishy odor. The smell is unbearable and often causes the sufferer to suffer from depression or social isolation.

6. Drinking

When people drink alcohol, the alcohol will flow through the body through the blood circulation. Some of the alcohol will seep out through the pores; some of it will be emitted through the breath, making people smell a foul odor of alcohol. The type of alcohol has no effect on the odor produced by the body, once the body starts breaking down the alcohol, it will smell the same.

7. You may have diabetes

If diabetes gets worse, it may develop into diabetic ketoacidosis. Without enough insulin, the body starts breaking down fat for fuel, which causes ketones to build up in the body. This accumulation can then cause a change in body odor, resulting in body odor. At this time, you should seek medical attention immediately.

In addition, some studies have found that a low-carb diet can also affect the smell of your breath.