The Japanese are named after the healthy experience in nature: shinrin-yoku or "forest bathing". We do know that diverse ecosystems support diverse and beneficial microbial communities living around us and in our bodies. We also know that even in the urban environment, exposure to green space will improve our physical and mental health. But what is the mechanism?
Japanese researchers suggest that we will ingest beneficial substances when we breathe forest air. This study identified three main inhalation factors that can make us feel healthier. These factors are probiotics, volatile essential oils from plants and negative ions.
Probiotics surround us from birth to grave. They live in the environment, and more importantly, we breathe air. We also enjoy our whole body almost with them. The more we interact with them, the happier and healthier we will be.
This is partly due to our intestinal bacteria, which break down food that we can't digest and produce substances that are beneficial to our body and mind. Bacteria on plants can produce essential oils to fight harmful microorganisms. These are collectively referred to as plant fungicides, which literally means "botanical pesticides". The research on the health benefits of plant essential oils is still in its infancy. But a recent study found that phytoncide from red pine trees can improve the health and bacterial composition of pigs.
Although there is some pseudoscience around the negative ion generator, there is evidence that air negative ions may affect mental state in a beneficial way. The content of air negative ions in forest areas and near waters is relatively high. This may be the advantage of walking near the forest or ocean. But as the German writer Goethe once said: Nature has neither a core nor a shell; She did it in one go. Nature has neither a core nor a shell; She has everything at the same time.
Probiotics, essential oil and negative ions interact and influence each other. For example, negative ions and plant fungicides can determine the microbial composition in the natural environment. There is evidence that this may also happen in the human intestine.
People are related to nature, to nature or biology, and to better health. We still have a long way to go before we fully understand that the innate love for nature is beneficial to health. An important part of the discussion (which we think is neglected) is to further understand the relationship between individuals and nature.
Psychologists have convincingly proved the connection between natural correlation and mental health. However, how does a greater individual's affinity for nature interact with eating habits, personal microbiota, physical activity level and many other lifestyle variables that may be intertwined with this affinity?
At the same time, when scientists look for important mechanical clues (including clues related to biodiversity), there are many simple ways to make use of our biological characteristics.
Why run on the treadmill instead of walking in the park or by the river, or on the way to work or at lunch time?
Crucially, more and more evidence shows that we can help children shape their physical and mental health by putting them in a greener environment during work, rest and play. The American Children and Nature Network is an important research news and activity resource, which integrates children and nature.
The World Health Organization report "Connecting Global Priorities-Biodiversity and Human Health" released in February last year reached the following conclusions:
Taking "microbial diversity" as an ecosystem service provider may help to bridge the gap between ecology and medicine/immunology [……] The relationship between our individuals and microbial communities is the epitome of the important relationship between our species and countless other organisms. We enjoy the earth.
It is not difficult to see that the discussion about the natural environment and human health is not just a matter of knowledge.
In a paper published in the Journal of Physical Anthropology last month, we called for more research on the relationship between biodiversity and human physical and mental health, especially the relationship with childhood.
If we improve our environment, we are also improving the health of our children in the future. Isn't that great?
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