The Effect Of Meat Consumption On Body Odor Attractiveness

Body odor is a result of genetic individuality, but this research suggests that ecological factors such as eating habits can affect odor variability. This research tested the effect of red meat consumption on body odor attractiveness and found that the body odor of non-meat eating participants was judged to be more pleasant and less intense than the body odor of meat eating participants.

Body odor individuality is established early in life. It plays a significant role in mate choice and in recognition of sexual partners, once a relationship is established. For these reasons, an individual’s body odor may be considered an “odor signature.”

Odor signature is genetically inherited, to some extent, although there are also variations stemming from psycho-physiological and ecological influences. The goal of this study was to test the effect of red meat consumption on odor signature.

For this research, 17 male students followed a dietary protocol for 2 weeks prior to odor sampling by 32 female students. The results indicate that red meat consumption may have a perceivable impact on body odor. Females rated the odors of students on the non-meat diet as more pleasant, more attractive, and less intense. Researchers also identified a positive correlation between odor intensity and perceived masculinity.