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Science has proven that the more kids explore and play with the natural environment, the better they’ll be able to fight off some of the most common illnesses.

As a parent, it can often be challenging to stop your kids from getting their hands dirty. There is a constant worry about what kind of bugs they could pick up.

But as older generations have probably known for a long time, science has proven that dirt is good for your immune system.

And the more kids explore and play with the natural environment, the better they’ll be able to fight off some of the most common illnesses.

A Finish study set up controlled environments at daycare centers and monitored skin and gut health of children 3 to 5 years old.

A report on IFL Science showed some interesting facts.

“The microbiota of the children at the renovated daycare centers had quickly shifted to become more like the microbiomes of children who attended the nature-oriented daycare centers. This change was also reflected in their immune system, with the children at the renovated daycare centers developing a higher ratio of the anti-inflammatory proteins to pro-inflammatory proteins in their blood, indicating their immune system was in beaming shape.”

This is the first clear evidence that exposure to microorganisms in nature contributes significantly to the overall ability of people’s ability to fight illnesses.

This should be enough evidence to get more families out into nature to explore all the benefits it provides.


Chris is one of GreenCitizen’s writers who has been a long-time advocate of individual responsibility when it comes to the environment. He shares GreenCitizen's passion for making the world a better place every day of the year.

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