Dirt, grass, fresh air – we all need it.
Children need it in particular – and maybe right now more so than ever.
Homes and lives that are too sterilised can actually have a negative effect on our immune systems, according to experts.
Jack Gilbert, Ph.D. is a scientist who studies microbial ecosystems at the University of Chicago and a father of two who. According to Gilbert, exposure to dirt and germs helps children’s immune systems. In fact, he recently looked into he effects of those potential germs on little bodies for a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. and what he and his colleagues found out, was that most of germ exposure is actually great for kids.
“It turned out that most of the exposures were actually beneficial,” he told NPR’s Weekend Edition. “So that dirty pacifier that fell on the floor—if you just stick it in your mouth and lick it, and then pop it back in little Tommy’s mouth, it’s actually going to stimulate their immune system. Their immune system’s going to become stronger because of it.”
Now the co-author of Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System, Gilbert said his bigger concerns is with the extreme sanitisation we see today.
“It’s fine to wash their hands if there’s a cold or a flu virus around, but if they’re interacting with a dog, and the dog licks their face, that’s not a bad thing,” Gilbert said. “In fact that could be extremely beneficial for the child’s health.”
How are these germs good for us, you ask? Well, here is what Gilbert had to say:
“The infection-fighting neutrophil cells in our bodies become “grumpy and pro-inflammatory” when they’re waiting for something to do. So, without small amounts of germs of fight off along the way, those neutrophils become “explosively inflammatory” when they finally do get to tango. That’s what triggers asthma and eczema and often times, food allergies.”
Mud play is good for kids
Scientists have now confirmed something that children have always instinctively known; playing in mud is a joyful experience. Recent research has shown that dirt contains microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae which stimulates the immune system and increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, an endorphin that soothes, calms, and helps us to relax. Scientists say regular exposure to the bacteria may help reduce a child’s vulnerability to depression. In short, playing in mud makes you happier.
And it doesn’t even stop there. Playing in mud can make you healthier too. In fact, science shows that exposure to dirt and germs works to prime a child’s immune system to prevent allergies.
Still raining? Great! To the park we go…
