Jessica Kiss, board-certified family physician, aka Dr Momtook to TikTok to share five “weird” health tips this can prevent diseases this season.

Why do diseases increase when temperatures drop?

A previous study found that cold air weakens the body’s immune response, particularly in the nose, which is one of the first sites of contact for respiratory viruses and an important part of the immune response.

Research has established that reducing the temperature inside the nose by just 9 degrees Fahrenheit kills nearly 50 percent of the billions of virus- and bacteria-fighting cells in the nostrils.

To combat and prevent illness before it starts, Kiss offered him “five really weird ways to prevent illness this fall and winter,” noting, “I know it sounds weird, but they all make medical sense and are all backed by science. »

Clean your tongue

At the top of Kiss’s list of health recommendations? Thorough cleaning of the tongue. She explained that every time you brush your teeth, “you should clean your tongue, and I mean clean your tongue, like scrape it.” »

Kiss maintains that specifically cleaning and scraping the tongue reduces bacteria, what she calls “yuck burden,” thereby decreasing the chances of getting sick.

Copper tongue scrapers, in particular, contain antimicrobial properties. In addition to reducing your risk of disease, its use can cancel bad breath and even increase your sense of taste.

Sip some green tea

Kiss recommends that those looking to avoid illness sip two to three cups of green tea every day.

“Green tea has been proven to strengthen your immune system,” she explained.

She maintains that in addition to tasting better, Green tea is better for overall health than coffee. Although the jury is out on this claim, green tea contains polyphenols and flavonoids. that help fight inflammation and disease.

Green tea also contains high levels of L-theanine, an amino acid that boosts immunity. The brew is also rich in antioxidants like catechins, which help protect cells from free radical damage, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Previous research has shown the myriad benefits of green tea, including reducing the risk of fatal heart disease and strokecurb stress, And improve general mood.

Wash your hands when you get home

Kiss recommends washing your hands as soon as you get home, suggesting that suds are even better than a fresh set of clothes when it comes to preventing illness. “Research shows that it’s better to wash your hands thoroughly than to change your clothes when you get home, because that’s how bacteria, viruses and everything else will enter your body.”

She notes that touching your face or cooking before washing your hands is a surefire way to spread the disease.

Research shows hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizers remove stubborn dirt – which insects can cling to and potentially feed on – and kill certain pathogens. Lathering will help you prevent infectious diseases like the flu, COVID-19, and diarrheal diseases.

Put a lid on it

Kiss encourages everyone who uses the bathroom to close the toilet lid before flushing.

“This reduces the phenomenon known as toilet plume…the backsplash of things that aerosolize into the air when you flush the toilet,” she warned.

If you’re using a public restroom, she recommends turning away from the toilet bowl when flushing, “this will reduce your exposure to bacteria and viruses.”

Laugh to improve your immunity

Looking for another reason to swap true crime for a sitcom tonight?

According to Kiss, laughter might just be the best medicine: “We know that laughter decreases stress hormones, which strengthens your immune system and improves your overall stress response. »

Kiss’s claims are backed up, or accompanied by laughter if you prefer, by serious scientific data.

According to the Mayo Clinic“Negative thoughts manifest through chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and lowering your immunity. On the other hand, positive thoughts can release neuropeptides that help combat stress and potentially more serious illnesses. »