Adolescence is a stage full of changes, not only emotional or psychological, but also physical. During this period, children's bodies undergo significant transformations thanks to the action of hormones. Among these changes, one that often surprises many parents is the increase in sweating, along with a much more intense and, at times, unpleasant body odor.
Doctor Carmona, a physician and health communicator with a strong presence on TikTok, has shared the results of a study that he found particularly revealing. In one of his videos, he explained how a German team analyzed how body odor changes from childhood to adolescence. To do this, they had several volunteers sleep with cotton pads under their armpits to collect sweat samples and analyze them afterward.
The reason behind the characteristic odor in adolescence
In young children, the compounds found had mild aromas, similar to fruits or flowers. However, in adolescents, substances appeared that smelled like goat, cheese, or even urine. This marked difference is due to the changes that occur in the body during puberty, something natural although sometimes not very pleasant.
Doctor Carmona explains that during this stage the apocrine glands, which until then had been barely active, begin to work at full capacity. In addition, the sebaceous glands increase their secretion. Added to this is the proliferation of bacteria such as Staphylococcus, which interact with these secretions and cause that strong and peculiar odor.
These secretions contain compounds and fatty acids that are irresistible to bacteria. When bacteria digest them, they produce volatile substances that form what the doctor has called the "adolescent volatilome." In other words, the mix of molecules responsible for the characteristic odor at this stage.
Why do some types of sweat smell better than others?
A particularly interesting molecule is androstenone. According to the doctor, there is a specific receptor for it in our nose. The curious thing is that this receptor can have a mutation, which makes some people perceive the smell of male sweat as unbearable, while others perceive it as a sweet aroma.
In short, that strong odor that many adolescents give off is not just a matter of hygiene, but a natural consequence of the hormonal and microbiological changes their bodies go through. Knowing this can help parents and young people experience this stage with less discomfort. This way, adolescence goes from being a challenge to something simpler, which can be managed with more patience and a better attitude.