Do you swallow insects at night while sleeping? You may not like the answer

Spiders that enter our mouths and end up being swallowed at night while we sleep peacefully… This story has been told many times. But is it a myth or a reality?

It's the kind of story we tell ourselves to scare ourselves on Halloween night or during any gathering with family or friends. The idea that we swallow insects during the night has been surprisingly quite widespread for several years, in particular due to anecdotes circulating on social networks or Stories spread on Internet sites. There is even a funny urban legend claiming that each person swallows an average of two spiders per year while sleeps. Others claim that insects are attracted to heat and humidity. from our mouths at night.

There is more drink and drink Insects, including spiders, are not prone to eating in these stories, but the figures on gobbling spiders are largely unfounded. enter our mouth while we sleep peacefully. Spiders are generally fearful of our species and prefer to avoid interactions with humans.

Moreover, it is a reality. biological: the mouth is not a really attractive environment for insects due to the slime it contains and respiration. Insects, in general, are more likely to be attracted to sources of food or heat, rather than a sleeper's mouth. And spiders are very sensitive to insects. any vibration, it tends to run away, because they associate them with potential predators.

However, it is not impossible that this could happen by accident. But this is nothing serious, the small insects which could end up in your stomach during the night will not produce any discomfort, you will not be affected. Also know that a natural reflex in the event of a small threat perceived during the night is to wake up if something very unusual happens.

However, the response to this question would not be entirely up to date; fact complete without what follows: we swallow many insects in knowledge… while we are awake! present in what we consume. According to the National Food Agency, we swallow around 500 grams of insects per year, on average, without realizing it. Farmers' crops are almost always invaded by a few small creatures and therefore contain pieces of insects, which end up in a whole bunch of everyday foods. It's not very appetizing, but it's harmless!