When we breathe through our nose, we purify, heat, moisten, and pressurize the air. With each inhale, the air that we breathe moves through turbinates or sinus cavities where there is approximately a ¼ cup of water to humidify the air. Amazingly, by nose breathing alone, we increase oxygen absorption by 10-15 percent. And, one of the coolest benefits of nasal breathing is that the sinuses release nitric oxide, a molecule that plays an essential role in delivering oxygen to the cells of our bodies. Your nose is the body’s first line of defense that filters bacteria, viruses and other materials. There is about 60 ft of coiled mucous membrane in the nose and sinuses that move viruses, and bacteria to the stomach where it is sterilized by stomach acid, then moved onto the intestines and then out of the body as waste. Amazing right!