Can Your Diet Make You More Attractive to Mosquitos?

I am a mosquito magnet. I’m one of those people that if I go out on a summer afternoon, I hear that nasty buzzing noise near my head and then an inevitable bump that bites my arm, leg, or any part of the skin that isn’t exposed. But why are some people mosquito magnets while others rarely get bitten? New research suggests your diet may play a role.

For most of us, a mosquito bite is a minor nuisance that causes the skin to swell and itch where the bite occurred. Some species of mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as malaria, Zika, yellow fever and dengue fever in many parts of the world. In fact, according to World Health Organizationhalf of the world’s population is at risk of malaria, accounting for some 627,000 illnesses in 2020. With climate change, the threat posed by mosquitoes to transmit disease is increasing.

In addition to the color of the clothes one wears and the temperature of one’s body, it is now well established that the individual odors of a person’s breath and skin are what drive mosquitoes to bite. What affects a person’s body odors includes physiology, pregnancy, genetic makeup, underlying infections, and the skin microbiome. Since what you eat and drink can affect your breathing and skin microbiome, New research suggests that changing what you eat and drink can affect your attractiveness to pesky bugs.

The human body produces more than 350 different volatile organic compounds. Of these VOCs, mosquitoes are more attracted to some and less attracted to others. Some of the VOCs studied that attract mosquitoes include carbon dioxide, lactic acid (produced during exercise), acetone (released when in ketosis), ammonia, and other organic compounds produced by humans.

Here’s a look at the research on dietary factors that may increase their attractiveness to mosquitoes. So be sure to check out The Worst Eating Mistakes You’re Making at Your Labor Day BBQ.

Alcohol

Some studies show that drinking alcohol can increase body VOCs that attract mosquitoes. A study published in Journal of the American Association for Mosquito Control reported that among 13 study participants, researchers measured biomarkers before and after drinking beer and found that the percentage of mosquitoes that landed on people increased after Drink beer.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Another study published in PLUS ONE reported that beer consumption increased the attraction of mosquitoes to participating subjects. The researchers theorize that beer (and probably all alcohol) increases attractiveness by raising body temperature and altering VOCs in the body after drinking alcohol.

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coffee and caffeine

A recent study cited in a review article of Current research in parasitology and vector-borne diseases reported that caffeine is a substance that can be identified on the skin and appears to increase attractiveness to mosquitoes. Other highly aromatic beverages are also likely to increase their appeal, according to the authors.

Caffeine increases metabolism and therefore temperature and it is well established that mosquitoes are more attracted to warmer bodies. While more research is needed, reducing your intake of coffee, other strong aromatic beverages, and caffeinated beverages before going out where you know mosquitoes will be present may help reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes.

RELATED: 7 Warning Signs You Should Stop Ketogenic Diet Immediately

A low-carb diet can help, but only if necessary

As more research develops, there are basic health practices you can take to help reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes. Keep your skin clean and after exercising, try to take a shower to avoid getting sweaty. Eat a well-balanced diet and control alcohol and caffeine to help moderate body temperature and volatile organic compounds produced through respiration and through the skin.

Since ketogenesis produces ketones through burning ketones for energy, mosquitoes may find you more attractive if you follow a low-carb diet. However, you should always talk to a doctor before trying something like the Keto diet, as it’s not for everyone.

Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD