Researchers point to benefits of nose breathing
Does it matter whether you breathe through your nose or your mouth? Here’s how three researchers answer.
Eddie Weitzberg, Professor of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine:
“Yes. Unlike the mouth, the nose acts as an air-conditioning system with three important functions. The nasal hairs and mucous membranes in the nose trap dust and particles, and the air is warmed and humidified before it reaches the lungs, which is beneficial for the airways. Research also shows that the gas molecule nitric oxide (NO) is produced in our sinuses. This gas has vasodilatory and antibactericidal properties, and when you inhale through the nose, NO is drawn out of the sinuses and travels down to the lungs, with a positive effect on blood oxygenation.”
Marian Papp, yoga teacher and researcher in yoga:
“Yes. Yoga exercises are performed at a lower intensity than, for example, running, and in that case, nasal breathing is an advantage. It automatically results in slower and deeper breaths with increased activation of the diaphragm. The parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated, which has a calming effect and lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Research has also observed a change in brainwave pattern during nasal breathing. Alternate nostril breathing is a commonly used breathing exercise that increases resistance and achieve even calmer breathing.”
Artin Arshamian, researcher in cognitive neuroscience:
“Yes. We have shown that breathing affects how memories are consolidated, that is, how they are strengthened after being encoded, and that the effect is stronger when breathing through the nose. Breathing also appears to affect cognition and perception in several ways. New findings from our group show that breathing, whether it occurs through the nose or the mouth, controls how the pupil changes. When you breathe in, the pupil constricts, and when you breathe out, it is at its widest. We now want to investigate whether this affects our vision.”