It's something we all swear by, but now there's actual science to back it up: the 'five-second rule' is officially legit.

According to Professor Anthony Hilton, morsels swiftly retrieved from the ground are safe for us to eat. The germ expert from Aston University tells Independent that although there is never zero risk involved with eating food off the ground, there isn't much to be concerned about if it's only been there a moment.

"Our research has shown that the nature of the floor surface, the type of food dropped on the floor and the length of time it spends on the floor can all have an impact on the number that can transfer."

Hilton also conducted a survey of two thousand people that found 79 percent of them admit to eating food that has fallen on the floor.

Knowing that the five-second rule stands up to rigorous scientific research, would you pick up that chip?

[Source: Food & Wine / Independent]