Y U SO STINKY?
A study led by Renate Smallengage, a Wageningen University entomologist, has revealed an unflattering truth about us humans: we stink really bad. So bad that even chimps and gorillas smell better.
By comparing the distribution and secretion of human skin glands with those of primates, the study has found that chimps and gorillas release lots of oils (which don’t vaporize easily), while our glands emit water, proteins, amino acids, urea, ammonia, lactic acids and certain salts (which vaporize easily and stink). In addition to that, “the microorganisms on our skin use the materials present on our skin and in our sweat for their own metabolism. The microorganisms convert non-volatile compounds into volatile compounds.” Bonus stink! Thanks a lot, bacteria.
Thankfully, our sense of smell isn’t that evolved and proper hygiene removes or masks most of bad odors, but you wouldn’t want to know what your dog thinks of you when you walk in the house after a long jog.
