Has our obsession with hygiene gone a step too far?

Why Dirt and Microbes Could Be Good for Us - with B Brett Finlay · 56:29 · Video: The Royal Institution · Watch at the source

In short: While antibiotics and modern hygiene have significantly improved human health, we may be inadvertently harming ourselves. This discussion explores why a certain amount of dirt and exposure to microbes might actually be essential for our well-being.

Microbiologist B Brett Finlay examines the potential downside of our relentless war against germs. While acknowledging the massive health benefits provided by antibiotics and sanitation, he suggests that our sterile environments might be missing something vital.

During this presentation, Finlay explores the primary themes of his book, Let Them Eat Dirt, which he wrote alongside Marie-Claire Arrieta. He explores the complex relationship between humans and the microbiome, investigating whether a lack of microbial diversity contributes to modern health challenges.

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