Buzz
Our feet are among the most overburdened yet underappreciated parts of the human body. Consider this: the average person walks 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Over a lifetime, that adds up to roughly four trips around the globe, putting significant strain on the delicate bones in your feet. While often overlooked, the design of the foot is crucial for bipedal movement, which is a key aspect of human nature. Here are some fascinating—and occasionally quirky—facts about the human foot.
1. FOOT BONES ACCOUNT FOR A QUARTER OF THE BONES IN THE HUMAN BODY.
Each of your feet contains 26 bones—just one fewer than your hands. At birth, these bones are mostly made of cartilage, and they fully harden only by the age of 21.
2. HUMANS HAVE BEEN WEARING SHOES FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
So, when did humans start wearing shoes? According to research from Washington University in St. Louis, which examined foot bones from Neanderthals and early humans, it dates back about 40,000 years. Early humans had stronger, thicker toes likely developed from walking barefoot and gripping the ground. This period also coincides with a surge in technological and artistic advancements, including the invention of the first stone tools, which may have played a role in the creation of shoes. The oldest preserved shoe, discovered in an Armenian cave and buried in sheep dung, is 5,500 years old.
3. THE BIG TOE ONCE FUNCTIONED LIKE A 'FOOT THUMB.'
Our ancestors' big toe helped them climb trees and, in their youth, grasp onto their mothers. Thanks to advances in modern medicine, if you lose a thumb, you can now have it replaced with a toe: toe-to-thumb transplants have become surprisingly common.
4. FOOT BONES PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF BIPEDALISM.
Researchers are examining Homo naledi, a species found in a South African cave in 2013, which many scientists believe could be a new human ancestor. H. naledi possessed remarkably human-like feet, though its slightly curved toe bones suggest it may have still been climbing trees. This could indicate that H. naledi was starting to explore walking upright.
5. IRELAND HOSTED A FOOT-CHEESE EXHIBIT.
Warm, sweaty feet provide the ideal environment for bacteria, which feast on our dead skin cells, releasing gases and acids that create the distinct odors we associate with feet. These bacteria are also used to make cheese. In 2013, a Dublin exhibition showcased various cheeses produced using bacterial samples collected from real people’s feet, armpits, and belly buttons. (No one actually ate any of these cheeses.)
6. FEET ARE AMONG THE MOST TICKLISH PARTS OF THE BODY.
This is for a good reason: Our feet contain nearly 8,000 nerves and have many nerve endings close to the skin’s surface. If your feet are ticklish, that’s usually a sign of healthy nerve sensitivity. A lack of it could point to peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing numbness in the feet).
7. FOOT NUMBNESS CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FOR DIABETICS.
Diabetic complications include poor circulation and foot numbness, which can result in painful skin ulcers that may require amputation of toes or even the feet. In 2010, 73,000 amputations were performed on diabetics due to lower-limb issues.
8. FOOT SIZES AND WIDTHS IN THE U.S. AND UK HAVE BEEN EXPANDING.
Feet are growing wider to accommodate the increasing weight of the population. A 2014 study by the College of Podiatry in the UK found that the average foot size has grown by two sizes since the 1970s. As people become taller and heavier, their feet grow as well. While many retailers are beginning to offer larger shoes, half of women and a third of men still report purchasing ill-fitting shoes. Podiatrists warn that poorly fitting shoes are a leading cause of foot problems, especially in women.
9. MANY FAMOUS STARS HAVE LARGE FEET.
From the bound feet of Chinese elite women to the tales of Cinderella and Barbie, unnaturally small feet have long been associated with femininity. However, many stylish and iconic women, both historical and contemporary, have had larger than average feet, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, and Audrey Hepburn (sizes 10, 11, 11, and 10.5, respectively).
10. WOMEN EXPERIENCE FOOT ISSUES FOUR TIMES MORE THAN MEN.
This unfortunate truth is often linked to the practice of wearing heels. Ironically, high heels were initially adopted by men in 17th century Europe, inspired by Persian warriors, before women began wearing them to achieve a more masculine appearance.
11. THE AVERAGE PERSON TRAVELS AROUND 100,000 MILES ON FOOT OVER A LIFETIME.
That's a tremendous amount of pressure on our feet. It’s no wonder that issues like back pain, headaches, digestive problems, and spinal misalignment are often linked to foot health. Some marathon runners go far beyond this total: Some have covered over 100,000 miles just from running. For instance, one dedicated runner, Herb Fred, has completed an astonishing 247,142 miles.
12. FOOT SIZE HAS NO CONNECTION TO PENIS SIZE.
A study conducted in 2015 analyzed data from 17 previous studies that included penis measurements of over 15,000 men globally. The conclusion: There is minimal evidence linking penis size to height, body mass, or shoe size.
13. THERE'S A REASON WHY GRANDPA'S TOENAILS LOOK THAT WAY.
Ever heard someone refer to their toenails as resembling 'horse hooves'? As we age, our toenails tend to thicken, making them more difficult to trim. This occurs because toenail growth slows down with age, causing nail cells to build up. Stubbing your toes, wearing ill-fitting shoes, dropping objects on your feet, fungal infections, and peripheral arterial disease, which restricts blood flow to the limbs, can all contribute to toenail thickening.
14. THERE'S A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR THE MOST FEET AND ARMPITS SNIFFED.
Chances are, your job doesn't involve anything as unpleasant as this: Over the course of 15 years at an Ohio lab testing Dr. Scholl products, Madeline Albrecht sniffed more than 5,600 feet and countless armpits. She now holds the Guinness World Record for—believe it or not—the most feet and armpits sniffed.
