Hello there I'm Monica Reinagal and you're listening to the nutrition divas quick and

and dirty tips for eating well and feeling fabulous. Thanks for tuning in today. Even if you don't remember that

infamous Seinfeld double dipping episode, the idea of somebody dunking a chip or a carrot into a communal bowl of dip or salsa after they've already taken a bite of it probably strikes you as a little gross.

But is this instinctive aversion to double dipping scientifically sound?

We're going to find out today.

And now, let's get the scoop on double dipping. A few years ago researcher Paul Dawson of Clemson University decided to find out just how unsanitary the practice of double dipping is.

Because what is nutrition science for if not to fact check sitcoms?

In his study, Dr Dawson found that double dipping does, fact transfer bacteria from your mouth to the dip,

where it can then be picked up and ingested by the next unwary dipper,

even two hours after the original double dip. As Dr Dawson expressed it to me in an

email, sharing a dip with someone that is double dipping is a little like kissing them.

Now that may not seem like a big deal if you're sharing a

dip with your loved ones, but if you're going to any big holiday parties this

week where dip is being served, you might want to scan the crowd to see if everyone in the room looks like someone you'd be willing to swap a little spit with.

If not, you might want to steer clear the dip.

Now the fact that double dipping transfers bacteria from the mouth of the dipper into the dip may strike you as gross, but I should point out it's not necessarily dangerous.

The human mouth harbors anywhere from 500 to a thousand different types of

bacteria, but most of them are completely harmless and some are even beneficial. There are some serious diseases that can be spread through contact

with saliva, including mnemonic plague, tuberculosis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS.

But the chances of running into someone with one of those illnesses at your typical holiday gathering is fairly low.

Your chance of running into someone with a cold on the other hand

is pretty high at this time of year and while sharing a dip with a double

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