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Scott Napper is seen in this undated photo from the University of Saskatchewan. (Credit: University of Saskatchewan)
Scott Napper has a hypothesis: What if his daughters’ tendency to pick their noses and eat the dried nasal mucus — their boogers — actually had some health benefits?
Napper, who teaches biochemistry at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, told the CBC that he’d wondered whether the “sugary” taste of the dried mucus was meant to signal to the body that consuming pathogens caught in the mucus was a good thing.
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“I’ve got two beautiful daughters, and they spend an amazing amount of time with their fingers up their nose,” Napper told CBC. ” And without fail, it goes right into their mouth afterwards. Could they just be fulfilling what we’re truly meant to do?”
The hygiene hypothesis has long blamed allergies, asthma and autoimmune disorders on a lack of exposure to certain pathogens early in life. Napper contends that eating boogers exposes people — and their immune systems — to the pathogens inside.
Napper said he uses his hypothesis to engage his first-year biochemistry students. He told the CBC that he’s already been approached by people looking to participate in a study.
But Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University, said it’s not likely that eating boogers would offer much additional immune system support, because people already unconsciously swallow nasal mucus.
“It happens naturally all the time, and the cells in your own mucous membranes are exposed to whatever is in the mucus constantly,” he said. “Because it’s part of your own body fluids, you swallow nasal secretions all the time during the day and while you’re asleep.”
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“Because it’s part of your own body fluids, you swallow nasal secretions all the time during the day and while you’re asleep.” Yes, that’s right, people. You “eat your boogers” all day long, anyway. That “hunk of gunk” stuck in your throat that loosens up when you clear your throat, which you then swallow, is the same stuff that comes out your nose. For the record, I do NOT “eat my boogers”.
Posted by: Bob | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 7:56 am
As long as our government didn’t pay for it this time, who cares?
Posted by: oonogil | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 8:27 am
Well, it looks like ABC news has reached a new low with this story. I didn’t feel the need to read it, I just wanted to indicate my disgust, along with all the usually mean-spirited pararazzi type junk and photos on thiis website. Congratulations ABC NEWS. You must be so proud.
Dr. H
Posted by: rocketscientist | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 10:37 am
your daughters will HATE you for revealing this information
Posted by: bree_zee | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 10:57 am
Hmmmmm……no wonder I never get sick! I KNEW it had benefits! :-)
Posted by: manda | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 11:37 am
You try out your theory first, Mr. Scientist.
Posted by: Jessica Rabbit | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 11:40 am
Just when you think journalism couldn’t sink any lower..
Posted by: Jimmy | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 11:59 am
I fully agree with ROCKETSCIENTIST and LYDIAEVAN2. Please, this is not news. There is a lot of real news out there, ABC, go find it.
Posted by: LouDC | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 12:38 pm
I disagree that this is a useless story. Plenty of parents are very worried when their kids eat boogers and put germy fingers into their mouths. This at least tells them that booger-eating is not a health concern. A good thing, since my son continues to eat boogers after being told not to a million times.
Posted by: helicohunter | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 1:47 pm
This article made me throw up in my mouth. Slow news day?
Posted by: Callie | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 2:26 pm
Now I know what to do with all these aged boogers I’ve been sticking under my work desk for years. Yummy and healthy as well!
Posted by: Gunner__59 | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 3:15 pm
Is this article serious? REALLY??? Tell you what…I’m going to relay a story to you, Mr. Napper, that a friend told me LONG ago – probably before you were even born:
You know as you go throughout the day, and naturally swallow out of reflex? What are you swallowing? Your own saliva, right? Well, if someone gave you a full glass of your own saliva, would you drink it?
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Tell your daughters to get a tissue, for crying out loud.
Posted by: lhroxford | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 3:27 pm
Seriously????
Posted by: Gene | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 3:33 pm
One word for this….disgusting!
Posted by: Amy | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 5:29 pm
You must return your PhD sir.
Posted by: ........... | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 6:55 pm
As George Carlin used to say, your immune system needs target practice.
Posted by: Anton Dubinski | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 7:02 pm
A toothpick would be great for booger kabobs, my nephew loves the blood boogers. LOL.
Posted by: Robert | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 7:03 pm
You may think this is gross but it’s snot! lol
Posted by: Yodian | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 9:16 pm
Another possible reason is that the makeup of them signals to the brain the relative health of your body, so your organ secretions and other systems then respond appropriately.
Posted by: Yesman | April 30, 2013 April 30, 2013, 9:33 pm
a team of post-doctoral toddlers published their year-long study on booger-eating
Posted by: cthorste | May 1, 2013 May 1, 2013, 11:09 am
yah lets all walk around picking our nose’s and eating it.. anyone up for lunch?
Posted by: DREAM ON | May 1, 2013 May 1, 2013, 12:09 pm