Can your diet increase your appeal to mosquitoes?

There can be certain feeding patterns that attract the bothersome insects.I draw mosquitoes. I am one of those folks who, if I am outside on a summer evening, will first hear that awful buzzing close to my head before an eventual bite will be delivered to my arm, leg, or any other exposed flesh. But why do some people attract mosquitoes like a magnet while others hardly ever get bitten? According to recent study, your diet might be important.

A mosquito bite is typically just a mild irritation that makes the skin itchy and swell where it was bitten. In many regions of the world, certain mosquito species can spread diseases like dengue, yellow fever, zika, and malaria. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that malaria, which would account for about 627,000 diseases in 2020, poses a risk to half of the world's population. The threat that mosquitoes offer for spreading diseases is growing as a result of climate change.

It is now widely documented that a person's unique scents from their breath and skin are what attract mosquitoes to bite. This is true regardless of one's clothing color or body temperature. Physiology, pregnancy, genetic makeup, underlying illnesses, and the microbiome of the skin are among the factors that affect someone's body odor. As your breathing and skin microbiota are influenced by what you eat and drink, new research reveals that altering your diet and drinking habits may affect how appealing you are to bothersome insects.

There are more than 350 distinct volatile organic compounds that the human body creates. In relation to these VOCs, some are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Among the VOCs investigated for their ability to draw mosquitoes include carbon dioxide, lactic acid (made during exercise), acetone (released during ketosis), ammonia, and other chemical compounds created by humans.

Here's a look at the scientific evidence about dietary elements that can make you more attractive to mosquitos. When you're through, be sure to read The Worst Eating Mistakes You're Making at Your Labor Day BBQ.

Alcohol

A few research suggest that consuming alcohol may enhance body VOCs that mosquitoes find attractive. Researchers evaluated biomarkers in 13 study participants before and after drinking beer, and they discovered that the percentage of mosquitoes landing on people rose after drinking beer, according to a study that was published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association.

Another study found that drinking beer increased the participants' mosquito attractiveness, according to a PLOS ONE study. Beer, and probably all alcohol, is thought to make people more attractive through raising body temperature and changing the body's volatile organic compounds (VOCs) following alcohol use.

Coffee and caffeine

One recent study found that caffeine is a chemical that can be detected on the skin and that it appears to improve appeal to mosquitos, according to a review article from Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-borne Diseases that mentioned the study. According to the scientists, other drinks with a strong odour would probably also make people more attractive.

It is commonly known that caffeine raises body temperature and, consequently, metabolism, and that warmer bodies are more attractive to mosquitoes. While further research is required, avoiding coffee, other highly scented drinks, and caffeinated beverages before venturing outside in an area where you know there will be mosquitoes will help reduce your attractiveness to them.

A low-carb diet may help, but only if it's necessary

There are simple health measures you may do to assist lessen your appeal to mosquitos as more study is conducted. Keep your skin clean, and attempt to take a shower after working out to prevent remaining perspiring. To help regulate your body temperature and the volatile organic compounds produced by respiration and skin perspiration, have a well-balanced diet and limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine.

Since burning acetones during ketogenesis results in the production of acetones, a low-carb diet may make you more seductive to mosquitoes. The Keto diet isn't for everyone, therefore you should always see a doctor before attempting something new.