19/08/2026
This is linked to a gene called ABCC11.
A specific version of this gene, extremely common in Koreans and several other East Asian populations, affects the production of apocrine sweat, the type of sweat most responsible for body odor.
Sweat itself is almost odorless. The smell develops when skin bacteria break down compounds found in apocrine sweat, especially in areas like the armpits.
People with the ABCC11 variant produce much lower amounts of these compounds, giving bacteria less material to create odor.
Studies have found that the vast majority of Koreans carry this gene variant.
As a result, many experience little or no noticeable underarm odor compared to populations where the variant is less common.
The same gene is also associated with another unusual trait: earwax type.
People with the odor-reducing variant are more likely to have dry, flaky earwax, while those without it typically have wet, sticky earwax.
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