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Thriving in a quality relationship isn’t just good for morale. According to several studies carried out in recent years, our social and romantic life has a beneficial impact on our digestion and our intestinal microbiota.
Those who say they feel butterflies in their stomachs when they are in love are not very far from the biological reality… According to the magazine Stylist of March 5, daily interactions (social and romantic) have a power over general well-being and the good health of the microbiota in particular. Thus, research suggests that good personal relationships alter the microbiota of our gut, contributing to the richness and diversity of the microbiome – two key components of good gut health.
Maintaining a quality relationship with your partner would therefore have a direct positive effect on our daily digestion.
The microbiota would agree in people in couple
Thus, according to a study published in the Scientific Reports magazine in 2019 conducted on married couples, the researchers realized that, in couples, the microbiota tended to agree between the partners more spectacularly than in siblings, says the psychologist.
Other astonishing information: the microbiota in question would prove to be more diversified, and richer in good bacteria in people in couples than in single people. What promotes a healthier body? It ultimately depends on the nature of the relationship.
A balance that falters when a lasting conflict appears
If this apparent symbiosis is real, it does not mean that the couple guarantees a quality microbiota. Indeed, this is true… when all goes well between the partners!
On the other hand, when a person no longer feels good in their relationship, when the relationship deteriorates and exerts pressure, the stress caused can then reverse this beneficial effect. and have a negative impact on the microbiota.
“Conflict in our relationships can be a major source of stress, leading to increased release of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut” says Catherine Hallissey, clinical psychologist at the magazine.
“We also tend to make poor food choices when we are stressed, seeking out sugar or alcohol for comfort or escape, all of which are inflammatory for the gut” adds Nicola Shubrook, nutritional therapist.
Microbiota and relationship, a two-way influence
As a fair return, gut health also influences relationships, making it a two-way tie. “That’s because the gut and its microbiome are involved in the production and regulation of important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin (the happiness hormone), dopamine (pleasure, satisfaction and motivation) and even oxytocin (sexual arousal, trust and loving attachment” says Nicola Shubrook.
A 10 second kiss improves your gut health
Want to boost your microbiota? Another well-known study of the microbiota also reveals an interesting fact. Thus an intimate kiss of 10 seconds can transfer up to 80 million bacteria between the two partners. If the information evoked in this way may seem unappetizing, this diversity is essential to maintain a healthy intestinal function. This common microbial flora would thus have the effect of consolidating the immune system of both partners. A treatment to repeat as much as possible!