Differences in Body Odor between Japanese and Foreigners: Surprising Relationship between Genetics and Culture

Culture that smell is individuality or not to be bothered by it

Cultural acceptance of body odor.

Attitudes and responses to body odor vary widely by region, history, and religion. This section discusses cultural acceptance of body odor in representative cultures.

Because there are individual differences, however, this should be taken only as an indication that such a tendency exists.

Western culture: A culture that enjoys fragrance

Western culture tends to express individuality through the use of perfume and antiperspirants, rather than completely covering up body odor and armpits. Perfume has been used since ancient times and has been utilized in religious ceremonies, beauty, and medicine. In modern times, a variety of perfumes are also used as accessories to enhance personal attractiveness and express mood and image.

Japanese culture: a culture that values cleanliness

In modern Japan, there is a strong preference for odorless or lightly scented products and a tendency to use deodorant products and antiperspirants rather than perfumes. The Japanese value cleanliness and take care not to cause discomfort to others. The bathing habits of the Japanese also play a role in reducing body odor.

Islamic Culture: A Culture that Holds Fragrance as Sacred

In Islamic culture, cleanliness is extremely important and body odor is considered impure. Muslims wash their bodies five times daily before praying, avoid pork and alcohol, and reduce body odor. It is also common practice to use perfume or perfumed oils to mask body odor. Scent in Islam is considered sacred and is an integral part of prayers and rituals. Muslims take care of their body odor so as not to offend others, and express their respect and love for God through fragrance.

Indian Culture: Coexistence with Fragrance

In India, body odor is seen as an expression of personality and temperament. The rich dietary culture of spices and herbs influences body odor, and fragrance is considered to be deeply associated with health and well-being. The role of scent is also emphasized in traditional medicine and spiritual practices such as Ayurveda and yoga, and there is a custom of harmonizing with body odor through the use of naturally occurring scents, incense, and perfumes.

Respect and understanding of cultural diversity

As can be seen, cultural acceptance of body odor varies widely from culture to culture. When communicating with people from different cultures, it is important to understand and respect their cultural backgrounds. Learning about diverse attitudes toward body odor and respecting each other’s culture will help ensure smoother communication.

Specific ways the environment affects body odor

Body odor varies depending on the environment and circumstances as well as individual differences. Understanding environmental factors and taking appropriate measures can reduce body odor.

Climate and body odor

Hot and Humid Environments.

• Increased perspiration: In hot and humid environments, large amounts of sweat are secreted to regulate body temperature.
• Bacterial growth: Sweat contains nutrients such as sebum and keratin, which feed bacteria on the skin surface.
• Enhancement of body odor: Bacteria break down sweat, producing odors such as ammonia and acid.
• Inhibits sweat evaporation: High humidity makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate and makes it stay on the skin longer.
• Promotes bacterial growth: As sweat remains on the skin, it becomes easier for bacteria to grow.
• Worsening of body odor: Bacterial growth makes body odor stronger.

Cold environment

• Decreased perspiration: In colder regions, people sweat less to maintain body temperature.
• Decreased interaction with bacteria: Less sweating results in less interaction with bacteria and therefore less body odor.
• Absorption through layering: Clothing absorbs body odor, making it less likely to diffuse into the surrounding environment.

Living environment and body odor

Urban living

• Air pollution: Pollutants in the air adhere to the skin, causing bacteria to multiply.
• Stress: Stress hormones change the composition of sweat, causing irritating odors.
• Reactive oxygen species: Stress generates reactive oxygen species, which accelerate the oxidation of sebum and worsen body odor.

Living in a natural environment

• Stress reduction: Natural environments reduce stress and suppress body odor.
• Relaxation: Experiencing nature, such as forest bathing, relaxes the body and mind and reduces body odor.
• Antimicrobial effect: The phytoncide exposed in forest bathing has an antimicrobial effect, inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause body odor.

Other Environmental Factors.

• Dietary habits: High intake of spices and meats can increase body odor.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke exacerbates body odor.
• Exercise: Excessive physical activity causes sweating, which increases body odor.
• Lack of sleep: Lack of sleep increases the secretion of stress hormones and worsens body odor.

Diversity of hygiene practices: Japan vs. the West

Japan: Unique Bathing Culture

Japanese bathing culture is unique in the world. The custom of soaking in a bathtub not only keeps the body clean, but also plays an important role in relieving the fatigue of the day. This time provides the perfect opportunity to thoroughly wash away sweat, sebum, and dirt from the body. In addition, it is common to use bath salts and aroma oils that promote relaxation and beauty. Thus, bathing plays an important role in daily life for the Japanese.

The West: Spread of Shower Culture

In the West, on the other hand, the use of showers is commonplace. Showers are widely adopted as an efficient way to cleanse the body quickly in our busy lives. Although showers may have less of a deep cleansing effect than bathtubs, they can be as clean as a bath if done properly. Western shower culture is a practical hygiene practice adapted to a fast-paced lifestyle.

Thus, Japanese bathing culture and Western shower culture reflect different backgrounds and lifestyles. Both are still important hygiene practices rooted in the local culture and values, but in terms of getting into the bathtub to thoroughly cleanse the body of dirt, the Japanese bathing culture may play a role in preventing body odor.

Effect of Diet on Body Odor

Eating habits have a significant impact on body odor. A well-balanced diet with a low intake of meat and a focus on fish, vegetables, and soy products can be expected to reduce body odor.

However, this also varies from person to person, and should be taken only as an indication that such a tendency exists.

Meat consumption

In Western eating habits, meat is a central part of the diet, and this may affect body odor.

• Fatty acids and amino acids in meat: When broken down in the body, the fatty acids and amino acids in meat produce volatile compounds such as ammonia and sulfides. When these compounds are excreted through sweat and urine, they cause body odor.
• Digestion of red meat: Red meat, in particular, takes longer to digest, and malodorous compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methane are produced in the process.
• Studies on Meat Eating and Body Odor: Studies show that people who consume more meat tend to have stronger body odor than those who do not.

Intake of fish, vegetables, and soy products

On the other hand, the traditional Japanese diet is based on fish, vegetables, and soy products, which are believed to reduce body odor.

• Omega-3 fatty acids in fish: Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fish, inhibit sebum secretion and have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce body odor.
• Isoflavones in soy products: Isoflavones in soy products have a female hormone-like effect and are said to suppress sebum secretion.
• Dietary fiber contained in vegetables: Dietary fiber contained in vegetables has the effect of regulating the intestinal environment and inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria, thereby inhibiting the production of substances that cause body odor.

Notes on Dietary Life and Body Odor

• The relationship between diet and body odor varies greatly from person to person, so it is impossible to make a blanket statement.
• In addition to the foods listed above, there are many other foods that can affect body odor, such as spices and garlic.
• A well-balanced diet is the basis of body odor control.

Summary

Body odor is part of our personality, our culture, and our lives. It is intricately shaped by genetics, diet, environment, and cultural backgrounds, and each person has a different aroma.

We need to develop a better understanding of people from different cultures and how they each think about and deal with body odor.”

This is the key to a more comfortable social life.

Deepening our knowledge and understanding of body odor is important not only for ourselves, but also for building good relationships with those around us.

Let’s deal with body odor and live a good life that is unique to us!