Buzz
The human body is truly remarkable. While we've previously shared some incredible facts about our bodies, no single list can capture everything. A hundred lists wouldn't even be enough. So, here’s another set of 10 fascinating facts about your body. Enjoy the journey of discovery!
10. Swallowing and Breathing
Did you know? Humans are the only mammals that cannot swallow and breathe simultaneously.
Unlike most mammals and many non-mammalian creatures, humans cannot breathe while eating. However, infants can breathe while nursing due to their ability to maintain airflow while feeding. This ability is lost around 9 months old when the voice box descends during development. As both children and adults, our larynx is unusually positioned lower in the neck compared to other animals, which enhances sound resonance, allowing us to create a wide array of speech sounds.
9. Second Brain
Did you know that your gut is home to a second brain?
In a sense, yes. There are around 100 million neurons in your gut, more than in your spinal cord, running from your esophagus all the way to your anus. This is known as the enteric nervous system. While this second brain cannot engage in conscious thought, it plays a major role in digestion and much more. Ever felt 'butterflies' in your stomach or a punch to the gut after hearing bad news? That was your enteric nervous system at work. It also significantly affects your mood, explains why certain foods can shift your feelings, and helps explain why stressful situations can lead to a loss of appetite.
8. Solitude
Fact: Solitude can be physically painful.
You might already be aware of this, but do you understand why? Researchers at the University of California conducted an experiment where participants played a computer game designed to simulate a basic catch game with two other players. Unknown to them, the other 'players' were actually controlled by the computer, and the game was structured so that they were excluded after a few minutes of play. This exclusion led to feelings of loneliness and rejection. The researchers discovered that the sensation of loneliness is processed in the same brain region responsible for physical pain, known as the anterior cingulate cortex. This finding offers insight into the human need for social connection, the pursuit of companionship, and the influence of peer pressure. Scientists hope to use this knowledge to address certain types of depression.
7. Saliva
Fact: You tend to produce more saliva right before vomiting.
This is an involuntary reflex meant to protect your throat, mouth, and teeth. Stomach acid is extremely corrosive, and if it weren't for the protective lining in your stomach, it would damage the organ. Unfortunately, your throat and mouth don’t have this same protective barrier. Salivating before vomiting serves to dilute and wash away the acid, preventing it from harming the rest of your body. Additionally, your saliva can help to neutralize the acid to some extent. That’s also why it's a good idea to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after vomiting.
6. Bitter-Sweet
Fact: Got a cut? Try putting sugar on it!
For generations, healers in Africa have been applying crushed sugar cane to wounds. Moses Murandu, a nurse who grew up seeing his father use this remedy, was astonished to discover that doctors in England weren’t using it. He decided to conduct a study, testing it on patients with bed sores, leg ulcers, and amputations before applying traditional bandages. The results showed that sugar not only alleviates pain but also eliminates bacteria that hinder the healing process. Sugar is hygroscopic, meaning it draws in water, which bacteria need to thrive. Moreover, sugar is far more affordable than modern antibiotics. So, next time you get a cut, consider sprinkling a little sugar on it before applying a band-aid!
5. Forgetful
Fact: Ever forgotten why you walked into a room? There’s a scientific explanation.
Have you ever walked into a room only to forget why you were there? And have you noticed that sometimes, if you retrace your steps through the doorway, you can suddenly remember? There's actually a scientific explanation for this. Researchers at Notre Dame conducted a series of experiments to explore how rooms affect memory. The participants were divided into two groups and tasked with completing a simple activity. The only difference was that one group walked through a doorway, while the other did not. The findings revealed that those who passed through a doorway were three times more likely to forget their task. The researchers concluded that our brain treats doorways as 'event boundaries,' storing decisions made in that room until you leave. This is why you can remember once you return to that space.
4. Color Perception
Fact: Some women actually perceive more colors.
Ever been frustrated when you asked your husband to bring you a peach shirt and he came back with a pink one? It might not be entirely his fault. A study from the University of California found that up to 50% of women have four types of color receptors, or iodopsins, instead of the usual three. While most people with normal vision see seven colors in a rainbow, those with four receptors can perceive around 10. This is because the red and green receptors are located on the X chromosome, while blue receptors are on the Y. The red and green receptors can shift slightly, expanding the range of color detection. There’s also a small number of women with both types of red and green receptors, resulting in five color receptors. This explains why color blindness is more prevalent in men than in women.
3. Blood Circulation
Fact: Every pound of fat you gain results in your body creating 7 new miles of blood vessels.
This fact helps explain why obesity and heart disease are often linked. The majority of the new blood vessels are small capillaries, but they also include tiny veins and arteries. So, if you're just 10 pounds overweight, your heart must pump blood through an additional 70 miles of vessels. The good news is that this process works in reverse as well. If you lose a pound of fat, your body will break down and reabsorb the blood vessels that are no longer needed. This is encouraging for dieters, as even losing a single pound can significantly benefit your heart.
2. Extra Nostril
Fact: You likely breathe through only one nostril at a time.
This occurs in about 85% of people. What’s especially intriguing is that, for these individuals, the body automatically switches between nostrils roughly every four hours, though this timing can vary depending on body position, illness, or individual differences. This process is driven by erectile tissue in your nose, similar to that in a penis or clitoris. The tissue gradually swells in one nostril, blocking most of it, while the tissue in the other nostril shrinks, allowing for increased airflow. Studies have revealed that which nostril you're using to breathe can affect your body. For instance, breathing through the right nostril increases blood glucose levels and uses more oxygen, while also activating the left side of your brain. On the other hand, breathing through the left nostril activates the right side of the brain, which is linked to creativity. This can be beneficial if you want to stimulate either your logical or creative thinking.
1. Nasal Mucus
Fact: Eating your boogers might actually be beneficial!
Your nasal mucus (booger) is designed to filter out airborne contaminants, and while it has traditionally been thought that eating it was bad for you, recent studies suggest it could actually boost your immune system. By introducing those contaminants in small amounts, it helps train your body to recognize and combat them. But don’t worry—you don’t need to start picking your nose. You’ve likely already consumed your boogers without even realizing it, as mucus that accumulates in your nasal passages often gets redirected down your throat by the movement of your cilia (hair-like structures on your cells). Delicious, right?
