The Germy Perils of a French Kiss
Published at(NEW YORK) — There is perhaps nothing more romantic than a French kiss. Apparently there is also nothing more disgustingly filthy.
A new Dutch study published in the journal Microbiome found that swapping spit for about 10 seconds transfers up to 80 million bacteria between lovers. The shorter partner in the smooch may take on even more germs because, as the researchers noted, saliva travels downward.
The longer a couple stays together the more similar the microbes in their mouth become, the study found. And the more than 700 different species of bacteria that live and breed in the mouth are mostly healthy and beneficial.
The Dutch study also revealed that couples only exchange about 1,000 germs in a straightforward lip lock. That’s fewer than found in a handshake.
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