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Grandma’s “old person smell” confirmed in new study

Posted at 8:53 AM, May 31, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-31 09:13:13-04

(CNN) -A new study says there may be some truth to the “Old person smell.” Researchers are confirming that older people have a distinct body odor but it may not be mothballs you’re smelling. A study by researchers in Philadelphia and Sweden finds that senior citizens in fact smell great.

Study participants smelled three different age groups … 20 to 30, 45 to 55 and 75 to 95. Seniors over the age of 75 smelled the most pleasant.

Researchers say our body odor goes through several stages as we age and they wanted to see if people could identify age groups based on scent. The participants could only tell the seniors’ smells distinctly. They said the middle aged and youthful odors were too close. The study is published in the journal, “Plus One.”