True or False: Human body sweat doesn't actually have a smell at all.

Human sweat itself actually has no odor, whatsoever! Rather, the bacteria that feeds on sweat produces a vile smell as a byproduct of its metabolization.

Apocrine glands typically release fluid (perspiration) in response to several factors, including hormones, anxiety or emotional stress. Bacteria found naturally on the skin's surface begin breaking down the protein and fatty acids in the sweat. It's the bacterial breakdown that causes unpleasant smell or odor.

More Info: www.mayoclinic.org

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

88 Comments

tomkat

I really enjoy playing quizz club, but some of you are just really spoiling it with your comments. If you have nothing good to say then....

Carmine-James Pitaniello

John Schneider John, i've turned your post into administration. I'm tired of politics being mixed into Quiz Club comments. Be lucky that you don't get disbanded.

Ben Totuous

Certain spices do come out in the sweat. Curry for one. While that is not BO, it is in the sweat. Bacteria does not produce that smell.

Norma Cullerton

I cannot believe how seriously everyone is taking this fun trivia club...relax!

tdelisi

Daniel Halley you are quite childish in your reply. We are actually attracted to people by their pheromones and both of those scents that Frenise refers to do in fact affect our attraction. Why not learn and leave your child like reactions with the child you once were and become an adult with greater understanding.

marilynmitri

Garlic comes out in sweat. And what about pheromones??

Phoebe

Catt Napp, I believe it is the lessening of hormonal activity as we get older. I am also post menopausal and have also noticed that I have much less body odours than I had when I was younger. I've verified this from others even my husband who would definitely let me know if I smelled. Actually my feet have stopped sweating altogether - I take off my socks after wearing them all day and they are dry and odour free. It doesn't matter what I wear on my feet, there is no dampness nor odour. Remember these odours first begin right around puberty, which is brought on by the surge of new hormones through the body. So it makes sense that when our hormones start slowing down at a certain age (which they do), the knock-on effects will slow down as well, most likely ceasing altogether within a few years.

Playermele fataaikitama

Well interesting that's abit of information centre about sweat I now fully understand that 😲 I never want myself to get that extreme with unpleasant smell or odor.thank goodness for deordarnt and scents.

Quiz Taker

Really folks....if you want to make all these "suggestive" comments, then I suggest you go to an "adult XXX website" and not the fun website of Quizz Club. It really is a turnoff when you try to be a showoff....and you could end up getting "kicked off!"

Jonzone

kathyrobertson, Sweetly, sweet flower smells smell nice.

Jonzone

Sweat does NOT smell the bacteria on the body causes it

shakueng

Jean-Paul Joris, all races have different odours. I have heard South East Asians say Caucasian have a very specific odour from meat and eggs. I suppose when you get used to your own odour you don't smell it as much.