J M
- Scientist reveals why it’s important to let your kids be exposed to germs
- Expose children to germs to boost immune system
- Dirty Kids: How Germs Can Be Your Child’s Best Friend
You may be thinking that you need to sanitize your kids all the time or you need to protect them from all the dirty stuff of the world, but that is not always the case.
One of the most common mistakes of parents are over-sterilizing their children’s environment. It includes immediately wiping the dirt off their hands after they played around the backyard and also keeping them away from animals.
Jack Gilbert, who is a a scientist who studies microbial ecosystems at the University of Chicago, decided to find out what’s actually known risks of modern-day children when they come in-contact with germs.
Gilbert found out that most of the exposure to germs are actually beneficial as it actually stimulates their immune system.
“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.”
It is also revealed that hand sanitizer is actually often bad for your kid. Replace it with the much safer hot and soapy water as it is probably less damaging to your children’s health.
So what does your child need the most for a healthy body? Gilbert strongly encourage the consumption of colorful and leafy vegetables, food that are rich in fiber and reducing sugar intake.
It’s not dangerous to let your child experience the world. As long as a strong and healthy body, there’s no threat and they would actually get more beneficial exposure from the world around them.
Gilbert is now the co-author of a new book called Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System.
