10-second kiss transfers 80 billion bacteria

The next time you lean in to kiss your significant other, you might be sharing more than just love.

A new study out of the Netherlands says that a 10-second kiss can transfer 80 billion bacteria.

The study investigated the effects of intimate kissing on the oral microbiota of 21 couples, including one male and one female homosexual couple.

They were able to determine the amount of bacteria exchanged during intimate kissing by swabbing the mouths of both people before and after a kiss. Prior to a second kiss, one partner ate a probiotic yogurt drink so that researchers could track specific bacteria.

The results show that romantic partners have a more similar oral microbiota composition compared to complete strangers, which requires a frequent and recent bacterial exchange. That only makes sense when you're exchanging 80 billion bacteria for every 10 second kiss.