Why Getting Your Hands in the Soil is Good for Your Health

Why Getting Your Hands in the Soil is Good for Your Health

Ever thought that touching soil could actually boost your health? Well, research is showing that it is! Various studies are discovering that the more skin-to-soil contact you have, the better your gut health tends to be. So, what's the connection?

Our bodies, especially our gut and skin, are home to trillions of tiny living microbes. As we know, soil is also teeming with microbes, many of which are shared with the human body. When you touch soil – gardening, playing outside, you name it – there's a microbial exchange. Some of those beneficial microbes from the earth make their way onto and into your body, boosting the variety of microbes in your gut. A more diverse gut microbiome is generally a healthier one. Suddenly, a mud bath doesn't sound so crazy, right?

Interestingly, the most diverse gut microbes ever recorded in humans were found in a hunter-gatherer community deep in the Amazon jungle. Living super close to the earth seems to be fantastic for our internal ecosystems, and importantly our health and wellbeing.

Green Spaces and Improved Wellbeing

It's not just about digging directly into the ground. Spending time in green spaces like forests, parks, or gardens – places rooted in healthy soil – brings similar benefits. Research shows that hanging out in nature, whether you're actively gardening or just enjoying a walk in the woods, can lift your mood and improve your mental well-being.

People who spend time in nature often report feeling less anxious, less depressed, and less stressed. It can even sharpen your thinking! You might have heard of 'forest bathing' – basically just soaking up the forest atmosphere. One study found that people doing this had about 16% lower levels of cortisol (that's the main stress hormone) compared to people spending time in urban areas.

Other studies had people spend time in nature, cities, or just watch videos of both. Consistently, those who were actually in nature felt more connected to it, could focus better, felt happier, and found it easier to reflect on things. It seems our brains just really appreciate a dose of the natural world.

The Gut-Brain Connection and Healthy Soil

Why is gut health such a big deal anyway? Scientists often call our gut our "second brain" because it plays a massive role in both our physical and mental health. There's a direct communication line between your gut and your brain (known as the gut-brain axis). The microbes living in your gut use this connection to influence all sorts of things, including your mood and how you interact with others. They might even play a role in conditions like depression, anxiety, autism, and Parkinson's disease.

Get this: around 90% of your body's serotonin is made in your gut! Plus, about half of your dopamine is produced and stored there too.

So, keeping your gut happy is key. Healthy, nutritious food is essential for this. And where does truly healthy food come from? Healthy soil! Soil that's rich in organic matter and buzzing with its own diverse microbial life provides the foundation for the nutritious food that fuels our 'second brain'.

The Save Soil movement is calling for policies that support farmers to increase the soil organic matter in agricultural soils across the globe. Healthy soil, rich in organic matter supports healthy food, which supports a healthy gut, which in turn supports a healthier, happier you!