According to a new study, picking of your nose and eating it, what most kids do which are abandoned with growth should, in fact, be continued–as it’s good.

Per the study, eating our bogies and encouraging our kids to do the same is good. And the reason is that bogies actually have several health benefits – and they could be particularly important for growing children.

“And eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body’s immune system. Medically it makes great sense and is a perfectly natural thing to do,”  said Austrian lung specialist Prof Friedrich Bischinger.

Via UK’s Independent:

The study found that snot contains salivary mucins which forms a barrier against cavity-causing bacteria, Kidspot reports.

Researchers are even now looking into a way to create synthetic mucus that could be made into chewing gum or toothpaste to provide the same benefits.

What’s more, there’s evidence to suggest the mucus in snot could defend against respiratory infection, stomach ulcers and HIV.

Austrian lung specialist Prof Friedrich Bischinger believes people who pick their noses are healthy, happier and probably better in tune with their bodies than others.