The reason why you’re such a tasty bite for mosquitoes
Every friend group has one of them, the one person that seems to be a mosquito magnet and gets bitten constantly. Why is that? What makes that person so much more attractive to the little vampires? Well just like us humans mosquitoes also seem to have their preferences. This is what makes you especially yummy and skyrockets you to the top of the mosquito menu.
1. High metabolism
If you have a high metabolism chances are you’re the one attracting all the mosquitoes. It seems the flying insects are attracted by carbon dioxide, you know one of the chemical compounds you breath out, and people with a high metabolism produce more of it. One the plus side, a high metabolism is also linked to burning more calories.
2. Hot body = mosquito magnet
Another thing that excites mosquitoes is your body temperature. The more heat your body radiates, the tastier you seem to be for the little buggers. If you naturally have a higher body temperature you probably also have a higher metabolism. Research seems to indicate that a higher core body temperature increases your metabolism. And we know what mosquitoes think about a high metabolism.
3. Adults are yummier
When you’re at a children’s party you’ll probably notice the adults getting attacked way more often. That’s because adults have more cells, which means more carbon dioxide emissions. Adults also tend to have a higher body temperature, so they check at least two of the boxes.
4. Not all blood types are as attractive
When it comes to blood types mosquitoes have a clear favorite and that’s type O. In fact people with O blood type get bitten twice as much as those with type A. Even among humans type O blood is pretty popular. It’s given to patients more than any other blood type.
5. Mosquitoes love a keto diet
Are you cutting down on carbs? Then beware, you might be making yourself a mosquito target. Apart from carbon dioxide the insects also love the acetone on your breath. People with a low carbohydrate diet and diabetes patients seem to breathe out more of it.
6. Workouts? Yes please!
Something else that mosquitoes seem to love is lactic acid. And guess what, when you exercise your body produces the acid as it generates cellular energy for your muscles to keep up. You win some, you lose some.
7. Pregnant snacks
Apart from swollen ankles, nausea, and heartburn, being pregnant can also make you a juicy target for mosquitoes. Pregnant women are twice as likely to end up on the menu as their non pregnant friends. Typically your body temperature is higher while pregnant and the extra body service seems to be quite enticing.