Who doesn’t like a good kiss? Kissing is the most romantic gesture and you definitely don’t need an excuse to make-out. Don’t worry about passing on germs, it will only enhance your immunity. There are several studies to prove that smutching has many health benefits. So, pull your sweetheart close and pucker up as it is good for your health. Read on to know the health benefits of kissing.
1. Tightens your skin
Kissing engages 112 postural muscles and 34 facial muscles. It will tone those muscles. If your kissing is vigorous, it will also work out your jawline and neck.
2. Reduce stress
You tend to forget the world when you are kissing. Your body relaxes and your mind calms down. Kissing lowers the cortisol levels, which is also called as the stress hormone, thereby reducing the stress. It also helps lower the blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. It alters the oxytocin levels of your body to create a sense of calmness and peace.
3. Fight cavities
Yes, it is god for your teeth. All the saliva you produce during kissing will help in washing away the plaque. Make sure your partner practices good oral hygiene as it can also transmit cavity-causing bacteria.
4. Improves your mood
It’s no secret. Kissing makes you happy. Your lips are the most sensitive part of your body and have several sensory neurons. So, when you kiss, you brain is triggered to release chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, which is responsible for making you happy and desirable. It elevates your mood and stirs up emotions and feelings. Kissing activates the same parts of the brain that are associated with addiction and reward.
5. Burns calories
Kissing makes your heart beat faster and releases epinephrine, adrenaline, and other neurotransmitters. The increased levels of adrenaline in your blood boost your metabolism and helps incinerate some calories. According to a study conducted by Dr Alexander DeWees, a 20-minute long kiss can burn about 2 to 3 calories per minute.
6. Boosts immunity
During a kiss, your saliva gets exchanged and so does the germs. Don’t worry, this will not make you sick, on the contrary, your body will make antibodies to fight the germs and enhance your immunity. It will prevent the illness. That being said, kissing can also spread of many diseases. Also if your partner is allergic to any food, make sure you do not expose him or her to the allergen while kissing.
7. Relieves pain
If you have menstrual pain or a headache, just pucker up. After a hard day at work, if you are suffering from a backache, instead of pain killer have kisses. Kissing releases endorphins, a natural chemical in the body, which is an effective pain reliever.
