Transference of Approximately 80 Million Bacteria Through Kissing, According to Recent Research Unveiled
Get ready to dive into the intriguing world hidden within an everyday action - kissing. This seemingly romantic gesture can mask a more fascinating truth: a microscopic exchange of life teeming with bacteria!
Our bodies are a complex ecosystem, home to over 100 trillion microorganisms - nearly ten times more than human cells, as per the expert Jeffrey Gordon from Washington University. That's around 90% microbial and only 10% human! We're more than individuals; we're colonies, like the marine organism, Portuguese man-o'-war.
While factors like genetics, diet, and age shape our oral microbiome, the people we kiss also play a significant role. Researchers from the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research studied 21 couples to unveil the microbial similarities caused by kissing. They found that couples who locked lips at least nine times per day had strikingly similar oral bacterial communities.
But what happens in a single kiss? To measure this, researchers controlled an experiment where one partner consumed a probiotic drink containing common bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria and shared a kiss with their partner. Guess how many bacteria were swapped in just one 10-second kiss? A whopping 80 million!
Contrary to popular belief, bacteria in our mouths aren’t all harmful. Most are beneficial, playing a critical role in breaking down food, preventing infections, and even influencing our immune responses. Thus, the constant exchange of microbes might actually help develop a robust and balanced oral microbiome.
Now, you might wonder if frequent kissing boosts health. The answer isn’t straightforward. Although the exchange of bacteria can be beneficial, other factors like diet, oral hygiene, and overall health play a bigger role in shaping a strong microbiome. However, there's no denying that kissing contributes to the mix.
So, is kissing the secret to better health? The research suggests additional perks: boosting immunity, supporting oral health, releasing feel-good chemicals, and strengthening relationships. Just remember, scope out the timing before sharing the fun fact about the bacteria swap during a first date!
Sources: EurekAlert, NPR, Microbiome Journal
- The role of kissing extends beyond romance, as it can influence the microbial communities in our mouth, a significant aspect of our health-and-wellness and mental-health, due to the exchange of over 80 million bacteria during a single 10-second kiss.
- In a complex ecosystem like our bodies, lifestyle factors such as genetics, diet, age, and even relationships (particularly regular kissing) affect our oral-microbiome, shaping a microbial world that is more akin to a marine organism's colony than an individual human.
- Love-and-dating may have unforeseen health advantages, as research suggests that the act of kissing can contribute to better health by enhancing immunity, supporting oral health, and releasing chemicals that foster feelings of love and wellbeing, all while fostering stronger relationships.
