Regular daily bathing or showering has come under fire from the experts. This follows findings of a study that was published in the March edition of the journal Nature’s Best.
“This obsession with cleanliness is a modern phenomenon,” according to Dr I. U. Ponghe, the lead researcher and director of the Institute of Bacteriological Preservation from the University of St. Ingk on the outskirts of Mexico City. “Think of how all other creatures on earth live. A daily shower is not part of their routine.”
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“Furthermore, much good bacteria live on the skin. These are part and parcel of our lives and have been for millions of years. Why wash them all off now?”
How the study was done
The study participants consisted of 478 men and 213 women between the ages of 17 and 37. A control group, consisting of 200 participants carried on with their normal washing routines.
Forty-seven percent of the participants in the first group were single at the start of the study. Two months later this percentage had increased to 84 percent.
Study participants had to undertake to wash only once a week under careful supervision of researchers. Before this was done, swabs were taken of the bacteria on their skin. This process was repeated after the shower.
Conclusion
“By overwashing, we are placing our systems under great strain,” says Ponghe.
Interestingly enough, those who washed only once a week, had a 4,5% lower incidence of viral infections than those in the control group. They also had a lower incidence of skin infections, but most of them reported that they had the distinct idea that their friends were avoiding them during this time.
“While the physical advantages may be high, adopting this lifestyle might have a distinctly negative effect on one’s social life, and on your popularity if you work in an open office,” said Jane Olfactory, research assistant. “But sometimes we have to be prepared to make minor sacrifices for our health.”
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