Everyone enjoys kissing, and now there are more reasons than ever to do it.
Kissing, or osculating, promotes good oral health. It stimulates the flow of saliva, reducing plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay. It helps to prevent gum disease that can increase the risk of heart attacks.
There are powerful proteins and protective bacteria in saliva that make it a natural antiseptic. New evidence suggests that these proteins even destroy HIV. Animals lick their wounds because saliva has healing qualities and acts like an antibiotic when we swap spit with someone; we swap some of these healthy antibodies, increasing our immune systems. Kissing prevents the formation of the stress hormones, glucocorticoids, that are responsible for high blood pressure. Regular kissing has also been shown to lower blood pressure by maintaining stabilized cardiovascular activity, and lower cholesterol by production of antioxidants. Frequent kissers are less likely to suffer blood, bladder, and stomach problems. Weakening muscles and insomnia seem less likely as well. A study in Japan
Kissing is a great stress-buster as it signals our brain to produce oxytocin, which makes us feel all warm and fuzzy, and the near-smile position of our mouth tricks our brain into feeling happy. Of course, if you're kissing someone, chances are you're in a good mood already. If we close our eyes and breathe deeply it relaxes us and if we are really excited, our hearts pump, pulses race, and we get a shot of adrenaline. The more intense the kiss, the more endorphins produced to make us feel good.
Kissing burns a minimum of 1 calorie per minute, the actual rate varying with intensity and weight. Some studies show the number to be quite a bit higher. A passionate kiss uses more than 30 muscles and increases facial circulation. That being said, regular kissing tones cheeks and jaw muscles, and may help to prevent sagging!
Kissing is not only fun, but beneficial to our well being. It's good for our teeth, our bodies and our minds. It relaxes us and keeps us looking youthful. Finally, if we are lucky enough to do it often, it's good for our heart.