These insects do not choose their targets at random.
Even if it rhymes with sun and vacation, the summer period is often accompanied by much less delightful itching: those caused by mosquitoes. Even taking all precautions, some seem irresistibly targeted by these insects, and undergo irritating bites. Why such inequality in the face of mosquitoes? Several factors are known, such as genetics or the blood group, but American researchers suggest in a study that our diet could play a key role.
To verify this, scientists at the University of Wisconsin (United States) first measured the attraction of fasting volunteers in the face of mosquitoes from the species Anopheles Stephensian important vector of malaria in Asia, known to be particularly sensitive to human odors. Then they redid the test a few hours after the participants ate a fruit. In order to validate their conclusions, the researchers compared the effects of a “suspect” fruit with those of a “neutral” fruit, the grapes. Their method to measure attractiveness? Count the number of insect contacts on a device imbued with the smell of volunteers.
According to the results published in the journal Journal of Insects, “The consumption of grapes had no effect on the number of contacts”another fruit has radically changed the situation. This is banana. The researchers observed that “Ingestion of bananas has led to a significant increase in the total number of contacts” Between mosquitoes and participants. A single banana would be enough to produce this effect. But why? An Iranian scientific journal, published in the journal Biologia, explains that the digestion of bananas would increase “The production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as lactic acid and ethanol, which are key attractive”. These substances, emitted by the skin, act as real olfactory tags.
Fortunately, your plate can also blur the tracks! Foods such as garlic or citrus fruits act in real camouflage, capable of “Disturbing the olfactory system of mosquitoes”. However, the trick is not infallible, because the effect varies strongly depending on the person. Consider it as a complementary track to conventional repellents: this summer, the battle against mosquitoes is also played in your kitchen.
