Reduce oxidative stress

Nose breathing activates diaphragmatic breathing, which in turn reduces exercise induced oxidative stress.

1. Diaphragmatic amplitude and accessory inspiratory muscle activity in nasal and mouth-breathing adults: A cross-sectional study

Mouth breathing is considered an abnormal and inefficient adaptation of breathing mode and it may induce functional, postural, biomechanical and occlusal imbalances. Mouth breathing reflected on lower recruitment of the accessory inspiratory muscles during fast inspiration and lower diaphragmatic amplitude, compared to nasal breathing.

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 25 (2015) 463–468

2. Diaphragmatic breathing reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress

Results demonstrate that relaxation induced by diaphragmatic breathing increases the antioxidant defense status in athletes after exhaustive exercise. These effects correlate with the concomitant decrease in cortisol and the increase in melatonin.

The consequence is a lower level of oxidative stress, which suggests that an appropriate diaphragmatic breathing could protect athletes from long-term adverse effects of free radicals.

Martarelli D, Cocchioni M, Scuri S, Pompei P. Diaphragmatic breathing reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:932430.

3. Diaphragmatic breathing reduces postprandial oxidative stress

Diaphragmatic breathing reduces heart rates (p<0.01), increases insulin (p<0.05), reduces glycemia (p<0.01), and reduces free-radical production as indicated by the higher antioxidants levels (p<0.05).

Diaphragmatic breathing, likely through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, increases insulin, reduces glycemia, and reduces reactive oxygen species production

J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Jul; 17(7):623-8