You share not only food and bedding, but also.. microbes.
A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo (Canada) recently launched an unusual study. Its goal is to analyze how couples living together exchange microorganisms.
Article Contents:
Main Details of the Study
Their findings were quite controversial. On the one hand, couples living together do indeed exchange bacteria on a large scale. However, this is not enough to radically alter each other”s microbial profiles. Ashley Ross, lead author of the study.
The study was conducted using 330 skin swabs taken from 17 different areas of the body. Samples were collected from the upper eyelids, nostrils, torso, inner thighs, back, armpits, navel, palms, and soles of the feet. Twenty heterosexual men from the same community participated in the study.
Results
After completing the tests, the scientists noted that the partners had exchanged a significant amount of microbes. This allowed the computer program to identify two members of a couple with 86% accuracy.
At the same time, the greatest similarity between the microbiomes was found on the feet of partners living under the same roof.
The researchers believe this may be due to the fact that couples walk barefoot on the same surfaces in the home. Therefore, bacteria exchange occurs very easily—both with each other and with the environment in which the two people live. Dr. Josh Neufeld, lead author of the study, explains, “Of course, this process involves microbial exchange.”
Gender and the Microbiome
Gender and the Microbiome
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Computer algorithms were able to distinguish between different sexes with 100% accuracy by analyzing skin samples taken from the inner thighs. However, swabs from other parts of the body did not give the same accurate results, but in 80% of cases the biological sex could be confirmed.
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Other interesting discoveries
Other Interesting Discoveries
The researchers also noted that bacterial diversity was lowest in the nasal swabs.
How lifestyle affects the microbiome
How Lifestyle Affects the Microbiome
- Personal hygiene of people;
- Pet ownership;
- Specific types of allergies;
- Bad habits — smoking, alcohol.
- Microbiome diversity has been found to be lower in people who drink alcohol frequently. Pet owners exhibit greater bacterial diversity.
People suffering from various types of allergies had a greater presence of different types of bacteria inside and outside the nose.
The researchers acknowledge that the sample in this study was not large enough. Therefore, these results need to be confirmed in studies with larger numbers of subjects. Scientists also emphasize that future experiments should be conducted with same-sex couples, since intimate life with a same-sex member also affects the microbiome.
Food under a microscope like you”ve never seen before
