Expresso // The Other Side of the Pandemic: Could Excessive Hygiene Lower Children's Immune Defenses In the Long Term?

Expresso // The Other Side of the Pandemic: Could Excessive Hygiene Lower Children’s Immune Defenses In the Long Term?

Can excessive hygiene lower the immune defenses of children in the long term?
Conceição Calhau, a researcher at CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research and professor at the NOVA Medical School – Faculty of Medical Sciences, answered the questions of the newspaper Expresso.

The specialist alerted to the known impact of lifestyles on the intestinal microbiota, which plays a crucial role in the development of the immune system, and recommended a diet with prebiotic, fermented, probiotic foods and outdoor activities to balance the microbiota and strengthen immunity, in the face of COVID-19 and excess hygiene.