Death can be a taboo topic that most people don’t like discussing, but there’s undoubtedly a scientific interest in what happens to the body afterward.
Just minutes after death, the body begins the decomposition process. Enzymes from within the body start to break down cells, releasing gasses along the way that cause the body to bloat up like a balloon.
As organs decompose, capillaries break open and blood leaks into the body, giving the skin a purple color tone. Bodily fluids eventually begin to weep from every crevice, including the ears and nose, to name a few. Then, muscles in the body start to stiffen as the body runs out of its remaining oxygen reserve.
Decomposition rates vary depending on the surrounding environment. Higher temperatures usually facilitate the decomposition process; higher amounts of insects or bacteria feasting on the rotting flesh can also speed up the process.
Death is no pretty sight, but it’s a part of the natural life cycle.
