Body Odour, Snoring, or Bad Breath? Kenyans Reveal What They’d Tolerate for Love.

What’s more bearable in a relationship—body odour, snoring, or bad breath? While love is often about accepting our partner’s quirks, some traits push our tolerance levels to the limit. We asked Kenyans what they could endure for the sake of love, and their responses may surprise you.

What Kenyans Had to Say

We posed a thought-provoking question: “Between body odour, snoring, and mouth odour, which one could you manage for the sake of love?” The responses flooded in, revealing just how far people are willing to go to keep the peace—and what they simply cannot stand.

Surprisingly, the majority leaned toward snoring as the most tolerable trait. Commenters joked about learning to sleep through the noise, with some saying it was just “part of the package” that comes with a partner. As one respondent put it, “Snoring is normal; it’s like a lullaby you eventually get used to.”

For most, the explanation was simple: while snoring can be annoying, it’s usually harmless and often has solutions. Odours, however, are different and can be tougher to overlook, as they linger throughout the day.

Why Snoring Seems Manageable

Snoring, while sometimes disruptive, can be managed more easily than body or mouth odour. It’s also generally seen as involuntary, a factor that seems to make it more forgivable. Unlike odours that linger, snoring only disrupts sleep at night.

Here are some common ways people manage snoring in a relationship:

Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, and sleeping on your side can all reduce snoring. Losing weight and improving sleeping posture can significantly help open up the airways.

Using Sleep Aids: Earplugs, white noise machines, or even sleeping in separate rooms when it gets too loud are common solutions for couples.

Raising the Bed’s Head: Propping the bed up a few inches or using a wedge pillow can keep airways open.

Quit Smoking: Smoking is known to irritate nasal and throat tissues, exacerbating snoring. Many find that quitting improves sleep quality and reduces snoring.

However, if snoring is accompanied by other symptoms like gasping or pauses in breathing, it’s wise to consult a doctor, as these could be signs of sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition.

Body Odour and Mouth Odour—A Hard Pass

When it comes to body and mouth odour, respondents were almost unanimous: hard pass. Many commented on the difficulty of tolerating odours every day, with one remarking, “Life is already suffocating; why should I choke in my sleep because of odours?”

Here are some key practices to reduce and manage these odours:

Good Hygiene: Bathing daily with antibacterial soap is essential, especially for areas prone to sweat, such as underarms, feet, and groin.

Antiperspirant and Deodorant: These products help reduce sweat and mask odour. Applying antiperspirant at night when sweat glands are less active can make it more effective.

Choosing Breathable Fabrics: Natural fabrics like cotton allow sweat to evaporate, helping to keep skin dry and reducing odour.

Diet Awareness: Avoiding foods like garlic, onions, and spicy dishes can minimize body odour. Drinking plenty of water can also help flush out toxins and maintain hydration.

For mouth odour (halitosis), good oral hygiene is essential:

Brushing and Flossing: Brushing at least twice daily and flossing removes bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath.

Tongue Cleaning: Using a tongue scraper or gently brushing the tongue helps reduce odour-causing bacteria.

Staying Hydrated: Drinking water throughout the day prevents dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. Chewing sugar-free gum also promotes saliva production.

Avoiding Smoking: Smoking contributes to bad breath, stains teeth, and can lead to gum disease.

If bad breath persists despite good hygiene, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue, so regular dental checkups are recommended.

When to See a Doctor

In some cases, body or mouth odour may signal a medical condition. Diabetes, liver disease, kidney issues, or metabolic disorders can cause unusual odours. If you notice a sudden or persistent change, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, love may be about compromise, but everyone has their boundaries. For some, a partner’s snoring is just background noise, while others find that certain odours break the bond. Relationships thrive on understanding and patience, yet it’s essential to know what we can genuinely handle and what might be too much to bear.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.