B.O. in the News

Know sweat: scientists solve mystery behind body odour

Scientists have unravelled the mysterious mechanism behind the armpit’s ability to produce the pungent smell of body odour.

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Scientists figure out why your body odor smells so strong

We've known certain bacteria cause BO, but now scientists have found the specific enzyme within the germs that makes us so aromatic.

Photo Credit: Unilever

Bugs breakthrough paves way for 'super deodorant'

Bacteria behind body odour finally identified meaning sprays that leave people smelling sweeter for longer could be on the way

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New generation of deodorants 'on the way'

The key, is understanding how skin bacteria create the smell from virtually odourless armpit sweat.

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The truth about your smelly armpits — how to tackle body odour

The market for masking underarm body odour is worth more than £400 million in the UK — but what do we really know about it? We ask the experts

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Scientists discover enzyme which causes body odour in ‘step towards cure’

Discovery of ‘BO enzyme’ also implies production of body odour in modern humans is ‘ancient process’
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PREHISTOR-ICK Boffins discover smelly armpit odour is inherited from cavemen who carried same bacteria as humans do

A UK team found that a key odour-forming enzyme exists in only a few armpit bacteria and evolved there millions of years ago.

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BO decoded: Scientists identify the key enzyme behind the pungent smell of body odour

An enzyme made by bacteria which reside in human armpits has been found to produce the pungent scent we know as BO.

Photo Credit: Shuttershock

Why do we have body odour?

People spend million every year on covering up their body odour and it's something that we all experience from time to time. But why do our armpits smell? Scientists have now discovered that the smell has been around since before we evolved into modern humans, and that it's caused by a unique enzyme.

Dr Michelle Rudden from the Univeristy of York explains what the research has uncovered.

(Photo: Man smelling his armpit Credit: Getty Images)

WHY WE HAVE BODY ODOURS

Dr. Michelle Rudden Lead co-author of the Body Odour study joins Sean on the show.

B.O. in the News

News Articles

Know sweat: scientists solve mystery behind body odour

Scientists figure out why your body odor smells so strong

Bugs breakthrough paves way for 'super deodorant'

New generation of deodorants 'on the way'

The truth about your smelly armpits — how to tackle body odour

Scientists discover enzyme which causes body odour in ‘step towards cure’

PREHISTOR-ICK Boffins discover smelly armpit odour is inherited from cavemen who carried same bacteria as humans do

BO decoded: Scientists identify the key enzyme behind the pungent smell of body odour

Podcasts & Interviews

WHY WE HAVE BODY ODOURS