Tag: Hygiene hypothesis

Research has shown that exposure to a diverse range of microorganisms, including those found in soil, can have significant benefits for the gut microbiome. This leads to the fascinating question: does dirt under your nails improve your gut health?

For millions of years, humans co-existed with parasitic worms, yet in developed nations, their near-total eradication has coincided with a dramatic rise in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This observation has led to the provocative question: can intestinal worms be beneficial, and could re-introducing them serve as a therapy?

According to a 2024 review, contact with environmental microorganisms, especially from soil, has decreased dramatically with modern lifestyles. This reduced exposure has coincided with a rise in chronic inflammatory diseases, sparking the question: is eating dirt good for your immune system?