Researchers say wearing bra 'false necessity'

BESANCON, France, April 12 (UPI) -- French researchers say bras do little to support women's breasts and may actually cause more harm than going braless.

Professor Jean-Denis Rouillon of Besancon University and a team of researchers studied the anatomy of 330 women during a 15-year period and have come to the conclusion bras are not necessary, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

"Medically, physiologically, anatomically -- breasts gain no benefit from being denied gravity," Rouillon said.

Researchers found women who did not wear bras had firmer breasts that sagged less than women who did wear bras.

Furthermore, the study found breasts become "dependent" on bras, and muscles that support breasts tend to be underused and degrade more quickly.

The initial results of the study "validated the hypothesis that the bra is a false 'necessity.'"