HUGGING could help fend off illness by altering the bacteria in our gut.

In research published yesterday, Oxford University scientists revealed they had found a direct link between physical contact and the gut bacteria in red-bellied lemurs.

Likely passed through ‘huddling’ behaviour and touch, the findings could also have implications for human health.

The Oxford team worked with scientists from the US on the research, which appears in the Journal of Animal Ecology, to better understand causes of diversity within the various bacteria that live inside the intestine.

These bacteria play a key role in both animal and human health, and the right mix of gut microbes help immune defence, blocking pathogens and informing our ability to tell good from bad bacteria.

Lead author Aura Raulo, from Oxford’s Department of Zoology, said: "In close social groups like red-bellied lemurs, social environment is key to immunity. "Animals that touch each other more tend to spread microbes, both good and bad, but eventually frequent social contact leads to a synchronised microbiome."

She added this made infections less likely.