Surprising health benefit of nail biting

Posted by | July 13, 2016 07:30 | Filed under: Planet


All those scolded as children to keep their fingers out of their mouths have gotten the last laugh. A new study out of New Zealand has found that children who bite their nails and suck their thumbs are less likely to develop allergies later in life. While the news may be reassuring for those with such…

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By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.

12 responses to Surprising health benefit of nail biting

  1. Mike July 13th, 2016 at 08:56

    A while back I read a study that came to the same conclusions about eating boogers…apparently the nasal cavity collects an awful lot of bacteria, some of which can be beneficial…go figure…

    • mistlesuede July 13th, 2016 at 14:13

      So we wouldn’t need to take probiotics or eat yogurt if we did that?

      • Mike July 13th, 2016 at 14:58

        Don’t know if I’d go that far…let’s say it’s not the end of the world if your kid tries a couple to see what it all about.

    • bunya July 13th, 2016 at 14:35

      They had a piece on Vice not too long ago about how they’re experimenting with human poo to see if it can cure digestive problems. Same reason: Human excrement contains good & bad bacteria and they’re trying to extract the good stuff.

    • mea_mark July 13th, 2016 at 20:32

      Not trying to be gross, but you know the sex organs are located where the bacteria comes out of our bodies. If it was in the best interest of humanity to share the beneficial bacteria with others, that would be a good location that would provide ample opportunity for sharing. Procreate for humanity and share the bugs that make life possible.

  2. mea_mark July 13th, 2016 at 09:20

    Humans have a symbiotic relationship with all sorts of organisms. It is best to make friends with as many as possible. Fear of bugs and trying to live in a sterile environment destroys the human symbiotic relationship that we need to be healthy.

    Now go get some dirty organic vegetables and chow down.

  3. Mensa Member July 13th, 2016 at 12:40

    The researcher was interviewed on the BBC and he was explicit: nail biting and thumb sucking are still bad.

    But this study adds to the evidence that we are over-sanitizing our children. We are hurting their immune system.

    I’d guess the same results with the 5 second rule and forgetting to wash their hands before meals. Exposure to reasonable levels of germs makes kids’ immune system stronger in the long run.

    Anecdotally: I raised my baby-to-toddler in a country with unspeakably vile streets. And, believe me, she put all kinds of crap (sometimes literally) in her mouth. She never got sick until we moved to the a modern country. I’m not exaggerating — she didn’t get sick.

    I know this isn’t proof but it consistent with studies like this.

    PS: Of course, we got all the vaccines for the really bad stuff. We’re reckless parents but we’re not stupid.

  4. Warman1138 July 13th, 2016 at 13:24

    If being exposed to disgusting things when you’re young makes you healthier later on in life then Trumps children are the healthiest ones on the planet.

    • Mensa Member July 13th, 2016 at 13:40

      Except they are desensitized to toxic politics, class-ism and racism — the kind of crap the top 1% bubble wallow in.

      I seriously doubt the Trump kids were exposed to any “unwashed” real word germs.

  5. mistlesuede July 13th, 2016 at 14:12

    This goes along with things I’ve read previously about how it’s my fault my son has pretty bad allergies because he grew up in a such a clean environment. He also never did either of these things.

  6. orsay July 13th, 2016 at 19:27

    I sucked my thumb later than normal, past 5 years old.. had to have braces because of it. Well… I have almost every allergy there is… sigh..

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