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Indoor gardening could strengthen the immune system - a study provides evidence

28.5.2024

Translation: machine translated

Better defences and gardening at home: According to a Finnish research team, there could be a connection here. Find out here why this needs to be investigated further and why the soil substrate is crucial.

Indoor gardening may promote good health. This is what the study by a Finnish research team suggests. The study was conducted in winter, a time when most people spend less time outdoors. The participants were asked to grow edible plants indoors and look after them. Some of the study participants showed an increased bacterial diversity on their skin after one month. In addition, a higher level of anti-inflammatory messenger substances was detected in the blood. However, as only 28 test subjects took part in the study, the results cannot be transferred to the general public until further investigations have been carried out.

Less sterility through indoor gardening

According to the small study, indoor gardening appears to strengthen the immune system. In its documentation, the research team describes indoor gardening as "a prophylactic practice that could help prevent immune-mediated diseases." This is because nowadays we often live too sterile lives, especially in cities. The consequences of excessive hygiene and less contact with nature can be intolerances, allergies and poorer defences. Indoor gardening could provide a counterbalance.

It's the soil that counts

The choice of soil is decisive for the health-promoting added value: the positive effect occurred in the test subjects who gardened with a "microbially diverse growing medium". This contains composted materials such as tree bark and mulch. The comparison group, on the other hand, was given soil with a high peat content and low bacterial diversity.

You can also find peat-free soil from Compo, which uses rich ingredients including compost and tree bark, in the shop:

Potting soil

Compo BIO tomato, vegetable and herb soil - peat-free

20 l, Soil without peat

A positive effect on mental health was also noticeable - in both groups of participants. The test subjects described a "high level of satisfaction" from gardening.

Header image: MargJohnsonVA/Shutterstock

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