Is smooching with a loved-one harmful or healing? A glimpse into the latest brouhaha over the age-old act of affection With all the positive sentiments the human race has attached to the act of kissing over its long history, you'd think it would be the one thing that would likely escape our archetypal 21st century scrutiny and scepticism. But, alas, as Salonaz Sami reveals, the relatively innocuous kiss, spurred by any one of many possible human emotions, has come under the knife of enquiry and analysis, ending up dissected and laid bare, waiting for us to come to its defence. In Egypt, kissing has always been part and parcel of its distinct culture of warmth and intimacy between friends and family. So what compelled Egyptian Physician Adel Ashour to think of establishing a society whose sole proclaimed aim is the banning of kissing in Egypt? Ashour's claim is that any kind of kiss -- not just the on-the-cheek- type exchanged by friends, but the intimate mouth-to- mouth kiss between spouses -- can be dangerous to health. According to recent scientific research published in world- renowned medical magazines, all kinds of hazards can be byproducts of kissing. "Kissing could transfer dangerous bacterial skin infections, such as acne," Ashour said. "Not to mention the cold and the flu, which shouldn't be taken lightly. It could also transmit upper respiratory tract infections, glandular fever, mononucleosis, also known as the kissing disease, Herpes, chickenpox and cold sores." Even Hepatitis B and some forms of bacterial infections could be transmitted through kissing alone, according to the latest evidence. Kissing could also transmit a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection called meningococcal, which inflames the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, leading to death. From a purely medical perspective, he stressed, skin, breath and saliva are potential instruments of infection. Historically, a similar precedent can be tracked down to the Roman Empire era, when Roman Emperor Tiberius once momentarily banned kissing when it was believed to be responsible for the spread of a certain treacherous disease. That was a justifiable reaction to an impending perilous state of affairs. However, to ban kissing forever is a totally different ball game. "I find the whole idea ridiculous," Nadia Khafaga told Al-Ahram Weekly. "How could you possibly ban married couples from kissing or friends from greeting each other with innocent kisses on the cheek? You will need a private eye to watch every citizen." Khafaga, a 37-year-old lawyer, sarcastically suggested we all use a disinfectant mouth wash before kissing instead of banning it altogether. Despite the apparent inherent hazards of smooching, Dentist Ali El-Tayeb enumerates its benefits. Kissing increases the mouth's production of saliva, which is rich in calcium and phosphorus, both elements that have the ability to fight cavities and wash plaque and bacteria off teeth. "But I wouldn't go around advocating kissing after meals instead of brushing," he said mockingly. Al-Tayeb explained that the act of kissing exercises facial muscles and helps increase blood circulation. A hormone called endorphin is produced in the body during kissing that works as an anesthetic. Yasser Nashaat, a psychologist, corroborated the account, adding that kissing can also help you lose weight. "A passionate kiss can burn off one to two calories per minute, compared to 11.2 calories per minute you lose jogging on a treadmill," he said. An added and well-documented benefit of kissing is the relief of stress, through the release of the oxytocin hormone. Kissing actually causes similar physiological changes to those of meditation. It prevents the initial formation of stress hormones -- the same hormones responsible for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insomnia. In addition, it triggers a massive adrenaline rush, which causes the heart to pump more blood around the body. Not to mention, added Nashaat, the bonding power of kissing. "It creates and maintains intimacy," he said. "The need for human bonding, whether social or intimate, is as basic as the need for food," he added. Think about it, invites Nashaat, when you kiss someone, friendly or intimately, you are in their personal space, which means you have trusted them. According to a 1980 study, men who kiss their wives before leaving for work live longer, get into fewer car accidents and have a higher income than married men who don't. Overall, kissing has an incredibly positive effect on the entire body. Those who kiss frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections. In addition, he jested, it is an effective and swift solution for hiccups. Meanwhile, beyond the health benefits of kissing, the therapeutic power of a Platonic or familial kiss is nothing less than magical, he explained. "Remember when you fell down, as a child, and skinned your knee, what did your mother do? She kissed the hurt away," he said. "Kissing the pain away creates an emotional tie between mother and child that eases the suffering." Those nurturing kisses, he elucidated, build a lifelong trust between parents and children. "It is also important for children to see their parents displaying their affection, in the forms of kisses and hugs, in front of them because it is all part of the nurturing process that makes them feel secure. Kissing definitely plays an important role in keeping the fires burning in a relationship. "Your partner needs to feel appreciated and loved and the kiss expresses that," said Nashaat. In the 1915 movie, A Fool There Was, Theda Bara, in her first lead role, portrayed a woman who stole away a married man, Victor Benoit, from his family by luring him with kisses. "Kiss me, my fool," was the catch phrase of the movie. It was later on popularised as, "Kiss me, you fool." So go ahead, brave whatever risks -- start everyday with a kiss and reap all the benefits.
