Dogs should be encouraged to lick human beings

Dr James Kinross is convinced that slobbery canines can boost human health as the licking increases the diversity of microbes in the gut, making our digestive systems healthier.

The doctor - a consultant colorectal surgeon at Imperial College London - explained: "It might be seen as gross. But there are arguments that actually what we're really experiencing is the catastrophic loss of exposure to really important bugs.

"The majority of the world's population live in an urban environment, so we're less likely to live with animals and in large families.

"This is bad for nurturing diversity in our gut microbiome and, in turn, our immune system.

"Kids in modern flats or isolated, small households don't get to play outside or with animals as much. This will give them a less diverse and rich microbiome."

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