iStock/Thinkstock(GHENT, Belgium) — One of life’s rules of thumb is “Never let them see you sweat.” If that’s impossible, especially after a workout, the next rule would be “Try not to smell so bad when you do sweat.”
Again, that might be asking too much, but scientists at Ghent University in Belgium think they can at least help make your sweaty odor less offensive by steering you to the right kind of shirt to wear.
That would be cotton more so than polyester, according to study author Chris Callewaert, who had a panel of smell experts sniff 26 shirts worn by bicyclists following a 60-minute ride.
It seems that bacteria molecules known as micrococci thrive in polyester’s fabric compared to cotton. Therefore, these shirts stink more than ones made from natural fibers.
Of course, cotton won’t eliminate odors, just mask them a little better. For people with really strong body odor, Callewaert is having some success with a process that entails the skin coming in contact with non-smell-producing microbes.
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