Kate Marshall Kate Marshall

No Smell Is The Best Smell!

How Chemical Scents Impact Your Body and Hormones

Walk into any modern home, and you’re likely to be greeted by a scent—lavender from a plug-in diffuser, citrus from an all-purpose spray, or that familiar artificial “fresh” from laundry detergent. These smells have become so normalized that many of us associate them with cleanliness and comfort. But what if we told you that no smell is actually the best smell?

Increasingly, scientists and health experts are raising concerns about the chemicals behind synthetic fragrances and their hidden impact on our health—particularly on our hormones.

The Hidden Chemistry of Scents

Most fragranced products—like perfumes, air fresheners, scented candles, and cleaning supplies—contain a cocktail of chemicals. Many of these are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which easily become airborne and enter your lungs, skin, and even bloodstream. Common fragrance ingredients include:

  • Phthalates (used to make scents last longer)

  • Benzene derivatives

  • Synthetic musks

  • Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

These chemicals aren’t just unpleasant to sensitive noses—they’re endocrine disruptors.

Endocrine Disruptors and Your Hormones

The endocrine system is the body’s hormone regulator, orchestrating everything from mood and metabolism to reproduction and growth. Chemicals that mimic or interfere with hormones can throw this delicate balance out of sync.

Phthalates, for example, are known to disrupt testosterone and estrogen levels. Multiple studies have linked them to:

  • Lower sperm counts

  • Early puberty in girls

  • Fertility issues

  • Thyroid hormone disruption

Even low-level, repeated exposure can have cumulative effects over time, especially in children, whose bodies are still developing.

What About “Natural” or “Green” Scents?

Unfortunately, the label “natural” doesn’t guarantee safety. The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated, and companies aren’t required to disclose all ingredients due to trade secrets. A product labeled as having “essential oils” may still contain synthetic preservatives or be mixed with undisclosed fragrance chemicals.

Scent-Free Doesn’t Mean Dirty

There’s a common misconception that odorless equals unclean. In reality, clean has no smell. True cleanliness means the absence of contaminants—not the presence of an artificial scent. Many of the most effective, non-toxic cleaning agents (like vinegar, baking soda, or castile soap) leave behind minimal or no scent.

How to Reduce Your Exposure

If you're ready to reduce your exposure to synthetic scents and protect your hormonal health, here are a few steps:

  1. Read labels carefully – Avoid products that list “fragrance” or “parfum.”

  2. Ventilate your home – Indoor air can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air, mainly due to VOCs.

  3. Switch to fragrance-free products – Look for “unscented” and “fragrance-free” (yes, there’s a difference).

  4. Choose real essential oils (with caution) – Used sparingly and from reputable sources, some essential oils can be a safer alternative.

  5. Use baking soda or activated charcoal – They’re great at absorbing odors naturally.

In Praise of “No Smell”

Getting used to a home that doesn’t “smell like anything” can take time, especially in a culture that equates scent with comfort. But over time, your body—and your hormones—will thank you. Clean air is subtle. It's the crisp nothingness of a freshly aired room, the absence of headaches, respiratory irritation, or unexplained fatigue.

In truth, no smell really is the best smell—because it's the scent of balance, clarity, and health.

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Kate Marshall Kate Marshall

How To Spot Hidden Sugars

How To Spot Hidden Sugars

Hidden sugars can be tricky to spot because they can show up in many different forms on ingredient labels, often under names that don't immediately make you think "sugar." Here are some tips for identifying hidden sugars in packaged foods:

1. Check the Ingredients List

Sugar is often added to foods, even those you might not expect, like sauces, dressings, and bread. Look for these common names of sugar on the ingredients list:

  • Sucrose (table sugar)

  • High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

  • Corn syrup

  • Honey

  • Maple syrup

  • Agave nectar

  • Molasses

  • Cane sugar or cane juice

  • Brown sugar

  • Fruit juice concentrate (such as apple juice concentrate)

  • Glucose or fructose

2. Look for Multiple Sugars

Sometimes, manufacturers will use several types of sugar in a product to disguise the total sugar content. If you see more than one sugar source listed (e.g., cane sugar and corn syrup), it’s a sign that the product is likely to be higher in sugar than you might expect.

3. Check the Nutrition Facts

The Nutrition Facts label shows the total sugar content, including natural sugars (like those in fruit and dairy) and added sugars. Pay close attention to the "Added Sugars" section—this is where you can spot sugars added during processing.

4. Beware of "Sugar-Free" Labels

Foods labeled as "sugar-free" might still contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols (like sorbitol or xylitol), which can also affect your health in different ways. These are often used to mimic the sweetness of sugar without adding calories, but they may still affect your metabolism or gut health.

5. Understand the Forms of Sugar

Some sugars are less obvious because they come in other forms, like starches that get converted to sugar during digestion. For example, dextrosemaltose, or glucose can all raise blood sugar, even though they might not immediately stand out as "sugars."

6. Know Your Food Categories

Sugars often sneak into processed foods like:

  • Condiments (ketchup, BBQ sauce, salad dressings)

  • Snack foods (granola bars, protein bars, chips)

  • Dairy products (flavored yogurts, milk)

  • Processed meats (sausages, deli meats)

  • Breads and cereals

Being mindful of these categories can help you avoid unintentional sugar intake.

7. Look for “Natural” Sugars

Even "natural" sugars like agave, honey, or maple syrup can be problematic if you're trying to limit sugar. These sugars can have the same impact on your body as refined sugar, especially when consumed in large amounts.

8. Be Wary of "Healthy" Labels

Foods labeled as "organic" or "healthy" don’t necessarily mean they’re free of added sugars. "Organic cane sugar" is still sugar, for example, just grown without pesticides.

9. Check Serving Size

Sometimes, the serving size is smaller than what you might actually eat. This can mislead you into thinking there’s less sugar in the product than there really is.

By learning to spot these hidden sugars and reading food labels carefully, you can better control your sugar intake and make healthier choices!

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