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Ever wonder where body odor comes from and what you can do to stop it in its tracks? Well, while there’s no cure for BO, there are some things you can do to keep yourself out of a pungent predicament. Let’s start with the way our bodies produce body odor.

It takes three to tango when it comes to body odor: bacteria, water, and food. Odor starts when the bacteria on our skin eat the food in our sweat and pass gas. Yes, that kind of gas.

Each of us has unique factors that impact the amount and type of body odor we make. People who naturally produce less body odor tend to have less active or no apocrine glands at all, so they produce less food for bacteria to turn into gas. People who naturally produce more body odor have more active apocrine glands and thus, make more food for bacteria to turn into gas. More gas from bacteria means more body odor for you!

So what can you do about it?

Did you know what you consume can impact your body’s odor? Certain foods like red meat and garlic can impact the way you smell when you sweat. Alcohol sweat can also have an unpleasant effect on the nostrils of those around you. While there’s no need to completely cut out food that you love, if you’re worried about the smell, maybe just avoid them at social events or before a big meeting.

• May use a fragrance to reduce the nose's ability to smell odor

• May reduce the number of bacteria that cause odor

ANTIPERSPIRANTS

• Reduce the sweat that contains food for bacteria to eat

• Body odor is caused by bacteria that eat nutrients in your sweat.

• What you eat can impact how you smell.

• Secret antiperspirants and deodorants help eliminate odor instead of just masking it.