Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages Raise Body Temperature, Producing Compounds That Attract Mosquitoes.
Mosquito bites cause skin swelling and itching. Additionally, some mosquito species can transmit diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, yellow fever, and dengue fever in various parts of the world. Climate change is increasing the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
Besides clothing color and body temperature, scientists have now identified that human breath and body odor are also factors that attract mosquitoes. Factors affecting a person’s body odor include physiology, pregnancy, genetics, infections, and the skin microbiome.
The foods you consume daily can influence your respiratory process and skin microbiome. Recent research indicates that changes in diet can affect your attractiveness to these pesky insects.
The human body produces over 350 different volatile organic compounds. Among these, several compounds attract mosquitoes, including CO2, lactic acid (produced during exercise), acetone, and ammonia.
Below are two types of beverages that make you more susceptible to mosquito bites:
Alcoholic Beverages
Drinking alcohol can increase substances in the body that attract mosquitoes.
Some studies show that consuming alcohol can enhance the substances in the body that attract mosquitoes. Analyses published in the journal of the American Mosquito Control Association and Plos One indicate that the number of mosquitoes landing on people increases after drinking beer.
Experts hypothesize that beer (and possibly all alcoholic beverages) attracts mosquitoes by raising body temperature and altering compounds in the body.
Coffee and Other Caffeinated Beverages
Research published in the journal of Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases has noted that caffeine is a substance that can be detected on the skin and seems to increase attractiveness to mosquitoes. According to the authors, other fragrant beverages may also enhance this effect.
Mosquitoes are often attracted to warmer bodies, while caffeine raises body temperature.
Caffeine boosts metabolism and thus raises body temperature. Clearly, mosquitoes are often attracted to warmer bodies. While awaiting further research, reducing coffee and strongly scented caffeinated drinks before heading to mosquito-prone areas can help lower your risk of mosquito bites.
You can adopt health care practices to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Keep your skin clean, shower after exercising, and maintain a balanced diet. Control alcohol and caffeine intake to regulate body temperature and the volatile organic compounds released through your breath and skin.
