Tuesday 23 December 2014

One kiss holds 80 million bacteria

A healthy dose of microbes are swapped between kissing couples, according to a study published in Microbe.

Researchers in Amsterdam swabbed the mouths and collected saliva from 21 couples visiting a zoo in the city both before and after they shared 10-second kiss. They found that the couples tended to have similar microbes inhabiting their mouths, likely because they share kisses, food, and space on a regular basis.

Apparently, being with somebody for an extended amount of time and having a relationship leads to a similar collection of bacteria on the tongue (reference: Time.)

When the researchers had one partner sip a probiotic yogurt drink, which contains bacteria not normally present in the mouth, prior to kissing their mate again, they found that an average of 80 million bacteria were swapped between kissers.

Posted by Tim Sandle

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