Kids playing in the dirt? Don’t call them in just yet! Research has determined that dirt and germs are good for your kids!
Did you know that dirt and germs are good for your kids?
While it’s true that cleanliness is a virtue, too much of it can actually be bad for your kids. Research from Northwestern University in Chicago shows that keeping kids squeaky clean can make them prone to developing cardiovascular diseases in adulthood and that dirt and germs are good for your kids! What makes this study even more interesting is that the subjects that the researchers followed for 21 years were Filipinos.
In the study, researchers looked at how exposure to germs during childhood affects the body’s immune system. To better appreciate the study, it is important to understand that when the body detects microbes attacking a certain area, its natural response is to cause inflammation in the surrounding tissue. This is its way of defending itself. The researchers found out that exposure to germs during childhood leads to a better inflammatory response in adulthood.
They found this by comparing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in Filipino adults who were raised in super clean environments against those who were not. Cardiologists use CRP levels to predict cardiovascular diseases: a patient with increased CRP levels is more likely to have cardiovascular problems. The study revealed that subjects who were raised in clean environments had higher CRP levels in adulthood.
So, the next time you see your kids getting down and dirty in the backyard, park or where have you, don’t panic, bath time can wait until later because not only is it scientifically proven that dirt and germs are good for your kids, but let’s face it, kids will be kids and they’re bound to get dirty. Let them have their fun and when they grow up, they’ll be sure to thank you for it!
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