Just in time for Valentine’s Day, new research uncovers just how often couples do one specific thing. Nope, not sex, something much more PG … locking lips. It turns out, lovebirds in relationships share an average of five kisses a day, and each lasts about eight seconds. Those 40 seconds of daily smooching add up to more than four hours of kissing every year.
According to the poll of 2-thousand people in relationships, those who aren’t married kiss more often, about 1,825 times a year, compared to 1,460 times for couples who’ve already said “I do.”
- Nearly three-quarters (72%) think it’s important to kiss their partner at least one time a day.
- A quick peck before bed is considered the most essential time to smooch to maintain a close connection.
- Kissing makes 65% feel loved and emotionally connected, but there’s actually a surprising health benefit to locking lips, according to science.
- Dr. Naomi Middleton, who specializes in gut heath, shares that research shows a single 10-second kiss can transfer up to 80-million bacteria between partners.
- While that may sound like a bad thing, it turns out, this actually contributes to shaping oral microbiota, which helps support greater gut diversity, a key marker of gut good health.
- Even though kissing is something many couples do every single day, only 11% of those polled were aware that it could affect the gut ecosystem over time.
- But half know about the emotional upsides of kissing, like strengthening bonds (50%), reducing stress (51%), and triggering the release of “feel-good hormones” (50%).
- After finding out that close lip contact can exchange millions of bacteria, 35% say they plan to try harder to keep that daily affection going.
“Kissing supports both emotional wellbeing and physical health in ways many people wouldn’t expect,” Dr. Middleton explains. “Regular affectionate contact can also help regulate stress responses, which is important as stress is closely linked to gut health.”
Source: Talking Points