Up until now, the cure for old people smell has been to lock them away in a care home and ensure they no longer integrate with us young, fresh-smelling folk. But scientists may have found another, more humane method.
Old people smell does have its uses. It means you can smell them coming, about to lambast you with some bonkers, probably slightly offensive nonsense. It also alerts you to when to many of them are in a place, guaranteeing bad vibes.
But, for those of us that love the elderly, the old people smell can be a bit of an annoyance, not to mention for the old folks themselves. But, scientists may have found a way to fix it.
Miracles of Modern Science Silence Senior Smells
It turns out that old people small comes from a specific change in the surface of our skin. As we age, the antioxidants we produce on the start to run low. This allows for something known as lipid peroxidation, which young skin easily fights off.
This reaction is what causes the smell we associate with old people. The sebum, which is what keeps out skin moisturised and supple, rusts on the skin, and causes the stench. So, it’s remarkably hard to mask. But, there are a few changes that can be used to prevent the problem.
According to scientists, adding more mushrooms to a diet will help prevent old people smell. The ergothioneine in mushrooms will help fight the build up of lipid peroxidation. This, in turn, will help reduce the smell.
So, love them or hate them, munching down mushrooms will keep you smelling like a rose well into your senior years. They’re not everyones favorite, but if they keep you tolerable in confined airless spaces, you better find a way to enjoy them.
Of course, other things such as regular bathing, wearing breathable clothes, and keeping clothing clean are other surefire ways to stay smelling fresh. But, these methods should be adopted by everyone, not just the elderly.