Pucker Up! How Many Bacteria Are in a Kiss?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide as a time for romance, but behind the roses and chocolates, there’s a scientific twist. If you’re lucky enough to be locking lips with your partner, you could also be sharing around 80 million bacteria in just one 10-second kiss.
That’s the surprising finding from a Dutch study that analysed how many germs are transferred during intimate kissing.
Why Do Humans Kiss?
Unlike most animals, humans use kissing as a courtship behaviour. Bonobo apes have been seen tongue-kissing socially, but humans are the only species to consistently kiss for intimacy. Scientists suggest a few possible reasons:
- To share and strengthen immunity by exchanging bacteria
- To assess mates through pheromones and chemical taste cues
- As an instinctive behaviour passed down from our ancestors
- Or simply because we enjoy it!
The Study Behind the Numbers
Researchers gathered 21 couples, including both heterosexual and homosexual partners. By collecting saliva and tongue samples, they tracked how oral microbiota changed through kissing.
To measure bacteria transfer, one partner consumed a probiotic yoghurt drink as a bacterial marker. After two 10-second intimate kisses, samples showed that approximately 80 million bacteria were exchanged each time.
A Healthy Exchange?
While the idea of swapping millions of microbes might not sound romantic, the reality is that these bacterial encounters can benefit us. Exposure to different bacteria helps challenge and strengthen the immune system, enabling our bodies to better fight disease.
Final Thought
So this Valentine’s Day, remember that kissing isn’t just about romance—it’s also a biological exchange that plays a role in human health. Share the love, share the microbes, and enjoy a happy Valentine’s Day!
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