Hop onto the Insta comments section under any reel of some unsuspecting brown guy, and you’ll see a ton of comments poking fun at him for the “unbearable stench” Indians supposedly have. Despite the blatantly racist undertones of this mockery, this disorderly stereotype against South Asians and other groups is a commonly widespread belief, especially online. Are these stereotypes just plain xenophobia, or do they have actually some merit behind them? The real answer is more complex.
Early perceptions of what was considered “odor” and “odorless” hold historical context. According to a 1990 study from the University of Arizona, scientific advances in 20th century America shed new light on public health and hygiene, and so came the wave of perfumes, shampoo, and other scented products for the middle class to indulge in. With this new and higher standard of “cleanliness is godliness”, researchers argued that American society would now have much less tolerance for body odor, and they were right; when more European immigrants began arriving to the US in the 1980s, current residents noticed that they lacked the type of control over their body scent which was now considered so integral in day-to-day American life. They began associating foreigners with such unfamiliar smells as having worse hygiene, and the trend of deodorization soon became a symbol of detachment from these “unsanitary newcomers”. Unfortunately, this scenario has only worsened in the years as the younger generations absorb and spread these harmful ideas through social media especially.
When we want to determine what “causes” body odor, we need to look at what science says first. Changes from puberty continue to be the leading cause for body odor; irregular showers, not shaving correctly/regularly, wearing dirty clothes and other unclean practices all contribute to increased sweat. Diet can also play a big factor in one’s natural scent. Many cultures that use garlic, onion and spices in their cuisines may be surprised to learn that these ingredients are outstanding culprits behind increased body odor, but there are also some elusive ingredients such as alcohol and caffeine which can worsen the issue. Additionally, there are also some lesser-known causes of body odor: medications found in antidepressants, changes in environment, and even conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease can cause sudden and unusual shifts in a person’s natural scent. Finally, cultural or religious restrictions are involved as well. A taboo on alcohol, for instance, means that deodorants containing that ingredient are off the table.
Truthfully, it does seem that there are some aspects of one’s culture that can unintentionally spur body odor. Nevertheless, there are still a variety of methods for stopping body odor in its tracks without taking away from one’s culture. For instance, instead of removing ingredients like garlic or spices from an otherwise healthy diet, consider adding more detoxifying foods to your morning routine. Herbal tea, fiber-rich foods, and citrus fruits are great for destroying toxins and, of course, have additional benefits. As for some general tips, regularly washing and shaving (with a clean razor!) the body’s sweat spots- such as the groin and armpits- is highly recommended. It’s best to do this whilst you shower and with antibacterial soap to kill the bacteria in these areas. Also, try to use more natural fabrics for daily wear. Material such as silk, wool and cotton reduce sweat, but remember to wash these garments regularly as well and perhaps invest in some deodorant powders if needed. Finally, there are plenty of safe alternatives to the standard deodorant. Try non-alcohol based deodorant brands such as Native, Arm&Hammer, and Dr Teal’s, which also are 100% aluminum free.
Ultimately, it is not the expectations of your culture, but rather the choices that you make that determine your personal health. Learning how to control your body odor, in this instance, is important to maintaining good hygiene and self control. We can’t expect everyone to follow this at first, but it’s a lot better to think with our heads than with our nose first; likewise, instead of resorting to bigotry, practicing and spreading awareness about body hygiene is a more effective path to a nicer-smelling world.