Let’s be honest—there are some things about getting older that nobody warns you about.
A few more aches and pains, a few more trips to the bathroom at night, and, yes, that mysterious ‘old people smell’.
It’s a scent that’s instantly recognisable: a little musty, a bit sour, and somehow stubbornly resistant to even the most enthusiastic scrubbing.
But what if science has finally cracked the code—and the solution might be as simple as adding more mushrooms to your weekly menu?
The science behind the scent
First things first: let’s clear up a common misconception. That ‘old people smell’ isn’t about poor hygiene.
In fact, you could be the cleanest person on the block and still notice it lingering in your clothes, bedding, or even your favourite armchair.
The culprit? A chemical compound called 2-nonenal.
As we age, our bodies produce less of the antioxidants that protect our skin’s natural oils (sebum) from breaking down.
When omega-7 fatty acids in sebum oxidise, they create 2-nonenal—a compound scientifically linked to the distinctive scent associated with ageing.
This was first documented in a 2010 Japanese study, which found that 2-nonenal only appears in people over 40, regardless of gender or grooming habits.
To make matters trickier, our skin cell turnover slows down as we get older.
This means that these ‘rusty’ skin cells stick around longer, amplifying the odour.
Why mushrooms might be the magic bullet
So, what’s a person to do?
According to Leslie Kenny, founder of Oxford Healthspan and a leading voice in longevity research, the answer could be as simple as eating more mushrooms—specifically, three to four times a week.
Mushrooms are packed with two rare and powerful compounds: ergothioneine and spermidine.
Ergothioneine is a potent antioxidant that helps protect skin fats from breaking down into 2-nonenal. Our bodies can’t make ergothioneine on their own.
Mushrooms—especially shiitake, oyster, and champignon varieties—are among the only foods that contain it in significant amounts.
Spermidine, on the other hand, helps promote autophagy, the body’s natural process for clearing out old, damaged cells and making way for new ones.
This means fresher skin, less build-up, and, you guessed it, less of that telltale scent.
The proof is in the portobello
If you’re sceptical, you’re not alone. But the science is compelling.
In a clinical trial published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 80 adults aged 50 to 79 took daily doses of champignon mushroom extract for four weeks.
The results? Participants who took higher doses saw significant improvements in body odour, bad breath, and even the scent of their pillows—without any reported side effects.
Another study from Finland found that wild Nordic mushrooms contain natural compounds that may actually block the skin processes responsible for producing 2-nonenal.
Shiitake and oyster mushrooms topped the charts for antioxidant content.
Champignons (the humble button mushroom you’ll find in any Australian supermarket) offered a milder, clinically tested option.
Beyond body odour: The many benefits of mushrooms
Of course, mushrooms aren’t just a one-trick pony.
Kenny, who credits her own recovery from lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to better nutrition, points out that mushrooms have been shown to slow cancer progression, lower blood pressure, improve insulin resistance, protect the brain, and strengthen bones.
Not bad for something you can toss into a stir-fry or omelette!
If you’re not a fan of supplements, you’re in luck. Kenny herself prefers to eat mushrooms in their natural form—think omelettes, soups, stir-fries, or even a classic Japanese egg custard.
Why soap and perfume won’t cut it
If you’ve been trying to mask the scent with extra showers or a spritz of your favourite perfume, you might have noticed it doesn’t really work.
That’s because the lipid fats responsible for the smell are deep in the skin. Surface-level solutions just can’t reach them.
In fact, perfume can sometimes make things worse by mixing with the scent and creating an even mustier aroma.
A fresh take on ageing
Getting older comes with its own set of challenges, but smelling your best doesn’t have to be one of them.
By making a simple change to your diet, you could be well on your way to feeling fresher, healthier, and more confident—no fancy lotions or potions required.
Have you noticed changes in your body odour as you’ve aged? Have you tried adding more mushrooms to your diet, or do you have other tips for staying fresh?
We’d love to hear your experiences and advice—share your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: Can death cap mushrooms be misidentified? Expert testimony stirs trial
