Remember your parents constantly reminding you to remove your finger from your nose? Remember the abject horror of the adult who had the great misfortune of witnessing your nose-picking? Remember the blood flooding your cheeks as you shamefacedly removed your finger?
Now, if you are so inclined, you could sit down and write a letter (or letters depending on how avid a nose-picker you were) to that adult explaining that your nose picking was all in good health.
According to a recent study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there are health benefits to picking and eating the contents of your nose.
Among the health benefits: Mucus is full of healthy bacteria that helps in the fight against respiratory infections, stomach ulcers, and HIV.
Researchers describe the nose as a bacteria-collecting filter. Ingesting the mixture, according to research, gives it medicinal qualities upon reaching the intestines, and it helps to strengthen the immune system.
Another benefit to picking (and consuming the contents of) your nose is that the act may ward off cavities. Researchers believe in the connection so much so that they are investigating ways to create synthetic mucus for use in chewing gum and toothpaste.
Researchers are also making the case that those picking their noses might be happier because they are better in tune with their bodies.
Do you think we are likely to see the stigma associated with nose-picking disappear in light of this research? Will it become a healthy activity?
Image credit:
Fscopel / CC BY-SA 4.0
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