Board-certified family doctor Jessica Kiss, aka Dr. Mom, took to TikTok to share five ‘weird’ health hacks that can prevent sickness this season.
Why does sickness surge when temperatures drop?
A previous study found that cold air weakens the body’s immune response, especially in the nose, which is one of the first sites of contact for respiratory viruses and an important part of the immune response.
The research established that reducing the temperature inside the nose by just 9 degrees Fahrenheit kills nearly 50% of the billions of virus and bacteria-fighting cells in the nostrils.
To fight back and prevent sickness before it starts, Kiss offered her “five really weird ways to prevent illness this fall and winter,” noting: “I know they sound weird, but they all make medical sense and are all backed by science.”
Clean your tongue
At the top of Kiss’s list of health recommendations? A thorough tongue cleaning. She explained that every time you brush your teeth, “You should be cleaning your tongue, and I mean cleaning your tongue, like, scrape it off.”
Kiss maintains that cleaning and specifically scraping the tongue reduces bacteria, what she calls the “yuck load,” thereby decreasing your chances of getting sick.
Copper tongue scrapers, in particular, contain antimicrobial properties. In addition to reducing your risk of sickness, using one can cancel out bad breath and even heighten your sense of taste.
Sip green tea
Kiss recommends that those looking to stave off sickness sip two to three cups of green tea every day.
“Green tea has been proven to boost your immune system,” she explained.
She maintains that in addition to tasting better, green tea is better for overall health than coffee. While the jury is out on that claim, green tea does contain polyphenols and flavonoids that help fight inflammation and disease.
Green tea also contains high levels of L-theanine, an amino acid that amplifies immunity. The brew is also rich in antioxidants like catechins, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Previous research has shown the myriad benefits of green tea, including reducing the risk of fatal heart disease and stroke, curbing stress, and boosting overall mood.
Wash your hands when you get home
Kiss recommends washing your hands as soon as you get home, suggesting that suds are even better than a fresh set of clothes when it comes to preventing illness. “Research shows really thoroughly washing your hands is better than changing your clothes when you get home because that is how the bacteria, viruses, all that stuff is going to enter your body.”
She notes that touching your face or cooking before washing your hands is a surefire way for sickness to spread.
Research shows hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizers at removing stubborn grime — which bugs can cling to and potentially feed on — and at killing certain pathogens. Lathering up will help you ward off infectious diseases like the flu, COVID-19, and diarrheal diseases.
Put a lid on it
Kiss encourages everyone who uses the bathroom to close the lid to the toilet before they flush it.
“This reduces the phenomenon known as toilet plume…the backsplash of things that get aerosolized into the air when you flush the toilet,” she warned.
If you’re using a public bathroom, she recommends facing away from the toilet bowl when flushing, “this is going to reduce your exposure to bacteria and viruses.”
Laugh your way to better immunity
Looking for another reason to trade true crime for a sitcom this evening?
According to Kiss, laughter really might be the best medicine of all: “We know that laughter decreases stress hormones, which increases your immune system and improves your overall response to stress.”
Kiss’s claims are backed up, or laugh-tracked if you will, by serious science.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more serious illnesses.”
