Mouth Breathing Evolution
Yes, we all know breathing is an unconscious act in our day-to-day lives. The human body does self-regulate to keep you alive; but it will not self-optimize to improve your health & athletic performance. Optimizing your breath can have a huge impact on your endurance and overall well-being. Take a minute to evaluate your breathing habits and technique!
Did you know humans were designed to breathe through their nose?
Between 25-50 % of the population has evolved to become chronic mouth breathers. The nose activates the respiratory system, while the mouth activates the digestive system; thus the old saying “the mouth is for eating, the nose is for breathing”. Furthermore, anthropology evidence suggests our early ancestors breathed through their nose even during strenuous activities.
Why have we become so accustomed to mouth breathing overtime?
The present-day, fast paced, stressful lifestyle has caused us to evolve into habitual/chronic over-breathers and mouth breathers. Spending 8 hours a day working, in addition to modern-day processed foods, caffeine, sugar drinks, alcohol, medications, allergies/air pollution, heavy electronic use, etc. has caused us to have a higher demand of oxygen. The easiest way to quench the air thirst was to open the mouth; which you will learn is not optimal.
Mouth breathing should only be used sparingly in fight or flight situations, during bursts of high intensity activities, or as a short-term backup due to a nose blockage from an injury or illness. Chronic mouth breathing leads to a lengthy list of negative health consequences.
Take a look at animals; if an animal breathes through their mouth it's a sign of sickness or injury. Yes, a dog pants through its mouth, but that's for thermoregulation, not oxygenation.