Why you should move to the country now

A new scientific study has confirmed something we’ve known culturally for a long time — meaning it’s now time to flee the city.

Struggling to finish your five-a-day?

Well, new research by RMIT University has indicated nutrient intake could be supplemented by the air we breathe, a phenomenon the researchers have coined “aeronutrients”.

As opposed to gastronutrients — nutrients absorbed by the gut — aeronutrients are absorbed by networks of tiny blood vessels in the nose, lungs, olfactory epithelium and the oropharynx.

The joint study was co-authored by Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore, an adjunct lecturer at the University of Newcastle and CEO of FOODiQ, and Dr Stephen Robinson, Psychology professor at RMIT.

They propose that essential nutrients like iodine, zinc, copper and manganese can be consumed simply by breathing.

“Our bodies are way more efficient at absorbing molecules from the air than from our diet, it goes straight to your brain and bloodstream,” said Dr Fayet-Moore.

Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore has co-authored a paper exploring the benefits of aeronutrients. Picture: Supplied

For centuries there has been an anecdotal link between health, wellbeing and fresh air but this new avenue of research offers the first steps to developing an academic understanding of the benefits.

“It’s something culturally, we’ve known for years,” Dr Fayet Moore said.

“We know people who spend more time in nature are generally healthier, they have better mental health, better immune systems.”

Aussies in country and rural regions may inhale millions of bacteria every minute, with their urban-dwelling counterparts inhaling just a few hundred.

“People who live in rural areas have more of the beneficial bugs in their airways, and people in cities often have more of the pathogenic or harmful microbes in their airways,” Dr Fayet-Moore explained.

In fact, she says evidence of the benefits of aeronutrients has been hiding under our noses for decades.

“There was a study published over 70 years ago that showed we can address Vitamin B12 deficiency by inhaling it,” said Dr Fayet-Moore.

“This could be super important for those on a vegan diet, older people or those with diabetes or excessive alcohol intake.”

Aeronutrients could be an alternative to vitamin and mineral supplements. Picture: Blackmores

Co-author, Dr Stephen Robinson said: “Scientists have long known that breathing delivers essential elements to the brain, yet the research has mainly focused on the neurotoxic effects of excessive exposure to certain metals – like in welders and miners.”

Generally the focus of academic research has centred around the effects of pollutants on our health and wellbeing.

“Before the industrial revolution, these trace elements were present in the air in tiny quantities, making toxic exposure impossible,” said Dr Robinson.

“Our bodies evolved during these conditions to accumulate scarce nutrients from the air, to supplement what was in our food.”

Arguably, Aussies have never been as germ-conscious as they are now, off the back of a global pandemic.

“Because of the focus we have on pollution, now we’re filtering air which alongside the toxic compounds also gets rid of all the nutrients and microbes that are positive for our health,” said Dr Fayet-Moore.

The research, Dr Fayet-Moore argues, “could revolutionise nutrition guidelines, potentially

recommending inhalation as a complement to a balanced, healthy diet.”

“We know that there are more than 20 micronutrients that Australians aren’t getting enough of … and it’s another way to supplement our diet and support our health, that isn’t just popping a pill.”

Originally published as Why you should move to the country now