New research quantifies what respiratory physiologists have long suspected: the way you breathe matters significantly for oxygen uptake. Investigators at the Karolinska Institute measured transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen in healthy adults during nasal versus mouth breathing, documenting a striking 10% higher oxygenation during nasal respiration. The data reveal that six of eight study responders achieved approximately 10% improvement, with an overall cohort mean of 7.5%. This improvement is not trivial—in clinical contexts, a 10% gain in arterial oxygenation can meaningfully improve exercise tolerance, cognitive function, and systemic oxygen delivery. The mechanism centres on nitric oxide production in the paranasal sinuses and its role in improving ventilation-perfusion matching within the lungs. These findings provide quantitative evidence supporting nasal breathing as a fundamental respiratory advantage. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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