Why do armpits smell? - CrowdScience podcast, BBC World Service

[@pipelee727]

I don't have any smell from my armpits, I heard that some people from East Asia don't have smelly armpits because of certain genetic reasons.

[@flying-ship]

I'm from east Asia and I don't have under arm odour. One way to tell if you are of the specific genetic disposition is that seeing if your ear wax is wet or dry: if you have dry ear wax, then you know you lucked into the 'no under arm odour' gene (ABCC11).

[@pipelee727]

@flying-ship Yes, my earwax is dry

[@TropicalAntarctic]

I thought so until I went to saunas in those countries. They have bad body odors like others, but different

[@VivianManu-dr6vb]

Why is the cc not working? And there is no transcript?

[@ppop_unvrs]

Odor comes from bacteria breaking down by sweating that is produced by sweat glands. Any parts of the body that are hairy contributes to releasing of unpleasant smell. Hormones is contributing factor as well because of the specific bacteria they already host and genetics whatnot. Biggest factor in my opinion is personal hygiene, regularly washing the body and avoiding repeating unwashed clothes can improve overall body odor.

[@renchengwang]

and genetics

[@TropicalAntarctic]

How does any part of the body that are hairy contribute ..?! Arms and legs are hairy but they don't release unpleasant smell. It's well known scientifically that the endocrine glands in the genital area, chest and armpits are responsible for the bad odors. And you forgot the role of the diet and spices too

[@himssendol6512]

Wasn't there a BBC video about 10 years ago on b.o? They did experiments like having other people smell the shirts worn by participants who didn't wear deodorant during the trial. 🤷‍♂️ I vividly remember a scene where an b.o expert directly sniffed people's underarms.

[@akosuatoujourshanbon8086]

Lime is amazing for armpit odor

[@trex1448]

I'm Korean American. I remember telling a friend in 7th grade gym class changing after class to take a shower in the morning bc he smelled like a dead animal. He sheepishly told me he did but forgot his deodorant at home and he smells bc of the gym class. That's when I realized what all the years of body odor and deodorant insults and jokes meant. I felt pretty bad and wore deodorant for years until after college when I realized I don't smell at all.

[@MrSoothsayer]

Koreans and Japanese don't have Bo. Other races don't have this advantage

[@TropicalAntarctic]

​@@MrSoothsayerif you go to Korean saunas, or Korean subway you'd know the truth

[@bbs3470]

My husband can smell when I‘m angry.

[@ngockhanh4689]

hi, nice to meet you stranger , i'm an english learner, if you come across my comment, can you plz help me to identify the word that the male speaker used at 6:22( dont have this gene to .......without it ???) and 6:25 ( is this useful...) . Thanks very much 😁

[@itsanaiaa]

6:22 don't have this gene and get on fine without it

[@itsanaiaa]

6:25 is this useful for everyone else

[@ngockhanh4689]

@@itsanaiaa Aww, that's very nice of you. Thanks again, hope you have a good day.😁☺

[@jijeeshkumar1156]

I used to wear deodorants but I assumed later that some other issues I started to have was a result of using that deodrant which kind of block sweating. Now I shave my armpits fortnightly and wash it there twice when I take a bath. It still doesn't work fully therefore I wear full sleeve loose Earlier today I happened to see in Indonesia they have fruit which they consider as an oral deodrant.

[@RamonMarais-k2k]

Found scince I stopped using deoderent, soap and lotion upon my body, I dont smell much. Also my skin doesnt need lotion.

[@midiausoleilceramicscaroli5224]

Absolutly agree, deoderant kills the good bacteria on the skin.

[@kha0s616]

I've been thinking about this for a while

[@leemccabemccabe5627]

Have a wash ?

[@solapowsj25]

Say Wart?

[@mock8008]

Good genes!

[@dkg_gdk]

Science? your armpits smell because apparently you can't afford a visit to the dermatologist.

[@AninaSabry]

clean urself daily esp. ur armpit and use deodorant or lemon mostly if u sweat a lot there are some nationality sadly which is famous in terms of b.o 😢

[@kolybegum7303]

❤❤❤

[@yeshua_base64]

Send this video to your Asian friend.

[@RickJamesEstate]

send your asian friend back to asia

[@TheMightyKingzuru]

The reason why armpits smell is the same reason why shit stinks.

[@CHoISeL913]

Oh I’m East Asian so I’ve never sweat from my armpits and have no smell. Yay for gene mutations ig.