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How mosquitoes are able to find humans?
Before jumping to the foods that repel mosquitoes, let us first understand how mosquitoes actually gets attracted to us. When we breathe, we inhale Oxygen, and exhale Carbon dioxide (CO2). The mosquitoes are attracted to this carbon dioxide that we humans exhale. The exhalation process leaves a trail in the air that mosquitoes can sense because of their highly efficient smelling sense.
But, it’s not only just carbon dioxide that we exhale, mosquitoes are also attracted to our body odor and other chemicals that our bodies release.
What smell attracts mosquitoes?
The following smell and factors associated with humans are responsible for attracting mosquitoes:
| Chemicals/Factors | What causes our body to release it |
|---|---|
| Carbon Dioxide | Released during the exhalation while breathing |
| Lactic Acid | Released during physical activity within muscles, through perspiration and sweat |
| Ammonia | Released through sweat and urine which creates a unique scent which attracts mosquitoes |
| Certain Fatty Acids (Found in Sweat) | It is associated with the body’s natural body odour, secreted below the skin in sebaceous glands |
| Octenol | Found in breath as well as in sweat |
| Body Heat | It is released due to metabolic process and physical activity, mosquitoes finds most attractive as they love warm-blooded hosts |
| Moisture/Humidity | Released along with sweat, increases humidity around our skin and which makes mosquitoes easy-to-locate us. |
Logic behind changing diet or eating certain food items
The smell of perspiration along with the body heat and moisture (due to sweating), makes it easier for the mosquitoes to find and locate their hosts. And since some individuals, may naturally release these smell and body heat to greater extent than others, they are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes.
This is how understanding these factors which makes us attractive, we can develop our own plans and strategies to safeguard ourselves against mosquitoes.
And, adapting to a different diet or consuming some food items exclusively is one of the methods to avoid mosquito bites to some extent.
Keep mosquitoes away by eating these foods
Now, the main question that may be banging in your head is – “What “foods can we eat to repel mosquitoes?”. So, as our main motive is to change our diet so that it influences our body heat, body odor and chemical emissions, to those which are not favorable for mosquitoes.
Below in this article we have covered 15 foods that repel mosquitoes, and how they work and what’s the best way to consume.
Image Credit: KamranAydinov on Freepik | Content License
Foods that repel mosquitoes
1. Garlic
Garlic has a very strong, pungent and an unpleasing odor. When garlic is crushed or chopped, allicin is released which has repellent properties against mosquitoes. The garlic when consumed, alters or mask the natural body odor and scent, that attracts mosquitoes. This makes it difficult for mosquitoes to locate the hosts. Garlic was used traditionally as a natural remedy to repel mosquitoes.
2. Onions
Similar to garlic, onions also releases certain sulfur compounds when chopped or crushed. These sulfur compounds alters the natural body odor and makes it unattractive to mosquitoes. Onions also has anti-microbial properties that can keep your skin healthy and reducing the risk of infections that makes you more attractive to mosquitoes.
3. Chili Peppers
Chili peppers releases capsaicin when consumed, and increased the body heat and warmth, which also leads to mild sweating, which in turn may seem to attract mosquitoes. But, the spicy scent actually interferes the body odor and disrupts the ability of mosquitoes to smell carbon dioxide and lactic acid released from our body.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes when consumed in sufficient quantities provides enough thiamine (Vitamin B1) to help repel mosquitoes. Thiamine is know to alter the smell of your sweat and makes it less attractive to mosquitoes. Tomatoes are also high in anti-oxidants, which keeps your skin healthy and protect from infections, which may otherwise be more susceptible to mosquito bites.
5. Grapefruit
Grapefruit contains a compound called as nootkatone, which is a natural insect repellent. When consumed in sufficient quantity, our body releases this compound and creates a barrier against mosquitoes. Also, being citrus fruit it contains Vitamin C, which can boost your immunity and safeguard your skin against infections and bites.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
The acetic acid present in Apple Cider Vinegar is responsible in altering the smell of your sweat, and making us less attractive to mosquitoes. It also changes the pH of the skin through sweat and moisture released during physical activity and thus makes us more safe against mosquito bites. Regularly consuming apple cider vinegar diluted with water, can create your body less attractive to mosquitoes.
7. Lemongrass
Lemongrass contains citronella, which is a well known natural mosquito repellent. Apart from candles and sprays, citronella from lemongrass also finds its application in lemongrass teas and beverages, etc. where the scent of citronella released from our body repels mosquitoes quite effectively. Lemon grass is also anti-inflammatory, and can help soothe any existing mosquito bites.
8. Basil
Basil contains certain volatile oils that releases eugenol, a naturally known mosquito repellent. It also find its usage in commercial products based on its effectiveness against mosquitoes. basil is also anti-inflammatory, that can help reduce swelling and discomfort due to mosquito bites.
9. Peppermint
Peppermint contains menthol which has a cooling effect on our body. It also releases mint fresh smell which repel mosquitoes. The strong aroma of menthol interferes the ability of mosquitoes to locate hosts, and reduces your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes. It is also used a natural mosquito repellent due to its refreshing aroma and effectiveness.
10. Cinnamon
Cinnamon masks the natural body odor and alters the body smell which makes us less attractive to mosquitoes. Cinnamaldehyde has a very strong smell and has got insect-repelling properties. Cinnamon also improves the blood circulation, and its spicy strong smell prevents you from mosquitoes.
11. Beans and Lentils
They are also high in thiamine (Vitamin B1) which alters your body odor and smell. A steady and regular consumption of thiamine based food items may make you less prone to mosquito attacks over time.
12. Carrots
Carrots are rich source of beta-carotene, which makes Vitamin A. This beta-carotene as proposed by some scientific studies, might alter the body scent and makes us less attractive to mosquitoes. These also improves our skin health
13. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin which is a strong anti-inflammatory compound. This is also known for it’s insect repelling properties. It also soothes and relieves discomfort and swelling from mosquito bites. Apart from wide number of health benefits, turmeric is also widely used as a natural insect repellent.
14. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, gooseberry, etc. are rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids. The strong smell of citrus fruits found to be unattractive to mosquitoes, while being high in Vitamin C, it also boosts our immunity.
15. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolates are rich in caffeine and anti-oxidants which improves blood circulation. While the strong bitter smell of dark chocolate may interfere with mosquitoes ability to locate you.
List of foods that repel mosquitoes:
| Food Item | Active Compound | How it Repels mosquitoes | Best way to eat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Allicin | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | Raw cloves, fried cloves, garlic spreads, or special garlic based pickles and chutneys. |
| Onions | Sulfur compounds | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | Raw in Salads, cooked with dishes and raw with special dishes |
| Chili Peppers | Capsaicin | Spicy scent and increased body heat makes it more appealing to mosquitoes | Fresh or dried in sauces, grilled dishes and for seasoning |
| Tomatoes | Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | Raw in Salads, cooked as juice or cooked in sauces |
| Grapefruit | Nootkatone | It’s a natural insect repellent | Fresh fruit, as juice or in fruit salads |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Acetic Acid | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | mixed with water and consumed daily |
| Lemongrass | Citronella | Releases special scent that repels mosquitoes | Fresh in Teas, soups or curries |
| Basil | Eugenol | Releases oils that deters mosquitoes | Fresh in salads, pastas or as garnish |
| Peppermint | Menthol | Gives a cooling effect and strong scent that repels mosquitoes | Fresh in Teas, desserts or as garnish |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamaldehyde | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | Spicy dishes, Oatmeal, baked goods, beverages like herbal or green tea |
| Beans and Lentils | Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | Cooked in soups, stews or as side dishes |
| Carrots | Beta-Carotene | Alters the natural body odor and makes you less attractive to mosquitoes | Raw as a snack, in salads, or cooked desserts |
| Turmeric | Curcumin | It is anti-inflammatory and insect repellent | With milk, in curries, soups or smoothies |
| Citrus Fruits | Vitamin C & Flavonoids | Helps to keep mosquitoes away and also strengthens immunity | Fresh fruit, as juice or in fruit salads |
| Dark Chocolate | Caffeine & Anti-oxidants | Improves blood circulation and is anti-inflammatory | As a snack or in desserts |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What can I eat to stop mosquito bites?
Slight change in your diet and ingredients in your meal and dishes can be helpful. Adding or increasing intake of certain food items like garlic, onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, etc. in your diet will help to deter mosquitoes. Taking apple cider vinegar daily with water can keep you safeguarded against mosquitoes.
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What foods attract mosquitoes?
Food items that increases the release of certain compounds like lactic acid, ammonia, octenol in our sweat will attract mosquitoes. And also, physical activity that makes us sweat and perspire with increased body heat can invite mosquitoes.
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What drinks do mosquitoes hate?
Drinks like herbal tea/green tea consisting of lemongrass and peppermint, also cinnamon and spices, are unattractive for mosquitoes.
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What to eat to repel mosquitoes?
The most important but difficult to consume are, Garlic and Onions. While consuming lemongrass tea, peppermint desserts, beans and lentils, turmeric, basil, carrots, tomatoes, citrus fruits etc. are more easier and easily available at home.
