Eating boogers good for health
Eating bogies is good for teeth and overall health, scientists conclude


						
							
							    
									





	

	
	

	
	





	
	
	

	
    

	
		
		
			
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
					

	
	
		
		
		

		
		

		
		
        
        

		
		

		
		

		

			

				
			
				
				
					
                        Science Editor 
                        
                        
						
						
					
				
                
                    
		05 May 2017 4:46pm BST
	




                    
                
			

			
			
				
	
		
	

			

		

	


				

				

			
            
		
	




							    
							

						
                        

				

				
  
  

	

	
	

	
	



  
  
    It might be wise to look away now if you are eating or have a weak stomach, but scientists have discovered that ingesting bogies is good for teeth, and overall health.
Scientists at a number of universities including Harvard and the University of Saskatchewan and say parents should not discourage their children from picking their noses because they contain 'a rich reservoir of good bacteria.'
Eating snot can also prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth, according to the article published in the journal of the American Society for Microbiology. 
The findings even suggest snot could defend against respiratory infections, stomach ulcers and even HIV.
The researchers are even working on a synthetic mucus toothpaste and chewing gum to harness the dental benefits of bogies. 
  







	

	
	

	
	









	
	

	



	
	

		

			
			

			
				
				

	
	
	
	

	
	

	
	

	
	

	
	
	
	
	
	
	


	

	

	

	


	
	

	
	
	
		
			
		
			
		
			
		
			
		
		
	




			

			
			

		

		
		

	
	
	
	
	
	
	

	
	
		
	
	

	
		
		
			
				There are many beneficial bacteria in the nose, according to scientists
			
		

		
		
			
				
				    Credit: Tom Merton
			   
			
		
	



	

	
	




  
  

	

	
	

	
	



  
  
    "Nature pushes us to do different things because it is to our advantage to have certain behaviours, to consume different types of foods," said said co-author Dr Scott Napper, professor of biochemistry at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
"So maybe when you have an urge to pick your nose and eat it, you should just go with nature.
"From an evolutionary perspective, we evolved under very dirty conditions and maybe this desire to keep our environment and our behaviours sterile isn't actually working to our advantage."
  



  
  

	

	
	

	
	



  
  
    
Austrian lung specialist Professor Friedrich Bischinger, who also contributed to the study, said research show people who pick their noses are healthy, happier and probably better in tune with their bodies.
"Eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body's immune system," he said.
"Medically it makes great sense and is a perfectly natural thing to do. In terms of the immune system, the nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria are collected.
"And when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a medicine."
  





				

				

			