Many people are familiar with the situation: you were bitten by mosquitoes, and the friend sitting next to you remained safe and sound. Dutch scientists have found an explanation – it all depends on your lifestyle and even drinks.
In an experiment at a music festival in the Netherlands, 500 volunteers put their hands under cages with thousands of mosquitoes. The insects could not bite, but the researchers recorded which ones they chose more often.
It turned out that beer lovers were attacked by mosquitoes on average one and a half times more often. Also, those who spent the night with others were more attractive to the insects. However, a fresh shower and sunscreen made a person less interesting to mosquitoes.
Scientists suggest that it is all about smells, which change under the influence of alcohol and other factors. Popular myths such as the dependence of bites on blood type have not been confirmed.
The authors of the study concluded that a healthy lifestyle, regular showering and sunscreen significantly reduce the chances of becoming a “mosquito magnet”.
