The Hygiene Hypothesis

The Hygiene Hypothesis suggests that growing up in overly clean environments may limit exposure to microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, which are important for developing a balanced immune system. Without these exposures, the immune system might become more prone to overreacting, leading to allergies, asthma, or autoimmune diseases. Essentially, a certain level of microbial contact in early life helps train the immune system to distinguish harmful threats from harmless particles, promoting better immune regulation and overall health.