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Educational package Search ### Patient guidelines ### First aid ### Health in the media ![](\\" ![](\\" ![](\\" net.png?5dug5e3\\") ![](\\" ![](\\" * In the media * Fact checks * Vaccination fact check * Patient guidelines * First aid * Our project * About this project * What is EBM? * In the spotlight * Who's who * In the press * Partners * Contact * A word of explanation about EBM Educational package NL FR Click this link to view accessibility options. ![](\\" # Fact check: Study does not show that living by the sea is healthier ## \- Health in the media - Patrik Vankrunkelsven Published on 22/05/2024 © Canva #### In the news Last week it was heard and heard on all news channels and in the written press read that there is now scientific evidence that living by the sea is healthier. In the newspaper De Morgen of May 14, 2024, states professor Maarten De Rijcke of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ): 'We are more resistant to this at the sea viruses. There are a number of chemicals present in the sea air and they work on certain proteins in our cells that prevent the development of chronic can inhibit diseases.' This should become clear from new research by VLIZ. #### Fact check The new study is a scientifically well-executed laboratory study contributes to scientific knowledge about the interaction of environmental factors on cell cultures. However, it does not provide evidence that us our immune system becomes stronger, let alone that we would be better armed against all kinds of ailments. And it certainly does not demonstrate that life is healthier by the sea. This is a very early hypothesis. Read more » no proof #### Where does this news come from? Not only De Morgen, but also other media reported the striking news that living by the sea would be healthier, now also according to science. That evidence would have been provided by a Belgian study involving dozens of researchers from the universities of Ghent and Antwerp participated. The research took place under the leadership of the Flemish Marine Institute (VLIZ), which funded research. Research coordinator Maarten De Rijcke (VLIZ) did some striking statements in the media: 'Sea air makes us... immune system is better trained and is at a higher level of preparedness harmful bacteria and viruses' (1). The so-called health benefits are said to be related to the inhalation of tiny water droplets (aerosol). These are caused by splashing sea water, that is carried by the wind and inhaled by the coastal residents. The researchers analyzed those droplets in their lab. They collected them on the sea ​​dike or made them themselves with sloshing seawater in an aquarium. * These droplets contain all kinds of material, including viruses and bacteria. * The researchers brought them into contact with human cell tissue derived from embryonic kidney cells. They found that a number of receptors on these cells respond to exposure (2). * The more viruses and bacteria there are in the droplets, the stronger the reaction of the cells in the laboratory dish. So much for the research. Whether the coastal residents who inhale these droplets have more resistance, let alone are healthier, has not been investigated and has not been proven. So there is no evidence that living by the sea is healthier. ##### Source (1) De Leebeeck E. Living by the sea is indeed healthier, now also says science. The Morning. May 14, 2024. #### How should you interpret this statement? There have been studies for some time that suggest that coastal residents score better on a number of health indicators, including a Belgian study (3). That one studies are mainly based on questionnaires, which limits their evidentiary value is strong. The studies also failed to show a link to a healthier diet lifestyle (more exercise, more social interaction) or with less air pollution. This new study is interesting in itself and we dispute the findings in the publication are not. By the way, they are much more modest the bombshell statements in the media. There is still a long way to go between observations in a lab and the real effect on people who smell this air inhale. Moreover, it is no surprise that exposure to more microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, gives rise to a stronger response from the cells. As the authors themselves indicate, this has already been proven with urban areas air to which cell cultures are exposed. They may be hinting at the hygiene hypothesis (4,5), which states that exposure at a young age to all kinds of infections or the dust on the farm increases the risk of allergies children decreases. #### Conclusion The new study is a scientifically well-executed laboratory study contributes to scientific knowledge about the interaction of environmental factors on cell cultures. However, it does not provide evidence that us our immune system becomes stronger, let alone that we would be better armed against all kinds of ailments. And it certainly does not demonstrate that life is healthier by the sea. This is a very early hypothesis. ##### References * (2) Li Y, Schütte W, Dekeukeleire M et al. The immunostimulatory activity of sea spray aerosols: bacteria and endotoxins activate TLR4, TLR2/6, NF-κB and IRF in human cells. Sci Total Environ. 2024 Jun 1:927:171969. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171969. Epub 2024 Mar 27. * (3) Hooyberg A, Roose H, Grellier J, Elliott LR, Lonneville B, White MP, Michels N, De Henauw S, Vandegehuchte M, Everaert G. General health and residential proximity to the coast in Belgium: Results from a cross -sectional health survey. Environ Res. 2020 May;184:109225. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109225. Epub 2020 Feb 4. PMID: 32078817. * (4) von Mutius E, Weiland SK, Fritzsch C, Duhme H, Keil U. Increasing prevalence of hay fever and atopy among children in Leipzig, East Germany. Lancet 1998;351:862-6. * (5) Braun-Fahrlander C, Gassner M, Grize L, Neu U, Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Allergie 6 1 Sennhauser FH, Varonier HS, et al. Prevalence of hay fever and allergic sensitization in farmer\'s children and their peers living in the same rural community. SCARPOL team. Swiss Study on Childhood Allergy and Respiratory Symptoms with Respect to Air Pollution. Clin Exp Allergy 1999;29:28-34. ##### Related news items * Is proximity to the sea a cure for worry? July 8, 2020 * Does healthy sea air help against cancer and high cholesterol levels? Jan 28, 2019 ##### Did you find this article helpful? ____ Remark? Thoughts? Adopting content from Health and Science Health and Science has the sole right to most published content. Our articles may therefore not be reproduced without our written consent. Interested in our content? Contact us at info@gezondheidenkennis.be. ## Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter ### Your comment × What is your comment about 'Fact check: Study does not show that life at sea is healthier - 22/05/2024\'? Important • We only deal with substantive comments and do not respond to them personal medical questions. Name e-mail remark Send Thank you for your comment. 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'We are more resistant to viruses at the sea There are a number of chemicals present in the sea air that interact with certain proteins in our cells that can inhibit the development of chronic diseases