Helpful Foods That Look Like Body Parts
Every child
has heard the healthy-eating mantra "You are what you eat." But there
may be a closer resemblance between good-for-you grub and your body than you
thought. We found 10 foods that mirror the body parts they provide nutrients
for—for example, brain-boosting walnuts actually look like a brain.
Coincidence? Maybe. Though these healthy foods are beneficial to the whole
body, the list below is a fun reminder of what to eat to target specific areas.
01. Carrot: Eye
Slice a
carrot in half crosswise and it's easy to see that the veggie resembles an
eye—look closely and you'll even notice a pattern of radiating lines that mimic
the pupil and iris. And the old wives’ tale is true: Munching on carrots will
actually promote healthy eyes. "Carrots are filled with vitamins and
antioxidants, like beta-carotene, that decrease the chance of macular
degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older people," says
Sasson Moulavi, MD, medical director of Smart for Life Weight Management
Centers in Boca Raton, Florida. Photos by iStockphoto
02. Walnut: Brain
The folds
and wrinkles of a walnut bring to mind another human organ: the brain. The
shape of the nut even approximates the body part, looking like it has left and
right hemispheres. And it's no surprise walnuts are nicknamed "brain
food"—according to Lisa Avellino, dietitian for Focus28 Diet, "they
have a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support brain function."
Photos by iStockphoto
03. Celery: Bone
Long, lean
stalks of celery look just like bones—and they're good for them, too.
"Celery is a great source of silicon, which is part of the molecular
structure that gives bones their strength," says Dr. Moulavi. Another
funny bone coincidence: "Bones are 23 percent sodium, and so is
celery," reports Avellino. Photos by iStockphoto
04. Avocados: Uterus
The
lightbulb shape of an avocado looks like a uterus, and it supports reproductive
health as well. "Avocados are a good source of folic acid," says
Elizabeth Somer, registered dietician and author of Eat Your Way to Happiness.
"Folate has been found to reduce the risk for cervical dysplasia, which is
a precancerous condition." Photos by iStockphoto and Shutterstock
05. Clams: Testicles
Studies
have offered evidence that clams, which bear a resemblance to testicles, are
actually good for the male sex organs. "Research from the Netherlands has
suggested that supplementing your diet with folic acid and zinc—both of which
clams are high in––can have a significant effect on improving semen quality in
men," says Dr. Moulavi. Photos by Shutterstock and 3D Clinic.
06. Grapefruit: Breast
The
similarity between round citrus fruits––like lemons and grapefruit––and breasts
may be more than coincidental. "Grapefruit contains substances called
limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab
animals and in human breast cells," says Dr. Moulavi. Photos by
iStockphoto and 3D4Medical.com.
07. Tomato: Heart
Slice open
a tomato and you'll notice the red veggie has multiple chambers that resemble
the structure of a heart. "Studies have found that because of the lycopene
in tomatoes, there is a reduced risk for heart disease in men and women who eat
them," says Somer. And, she adds, if you mix them with a little fat, like
olive oil or avocado, it will boost your body's lycopene absorption nearly
tenfold. Photos by iStockphoto and 3D Clinic.
08. Red Wine: Blood
Red wine,
which is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, including powerful resveratrol,
looks like blood. "When you drink it, you're really loading up on the
healthy stuff that protects against destructive things in the blood, like LDL
cholesterol, which can cause heart disease," says Somer. "There's
also a blood-thinning compound in red wine, so it reduces blood clots, which
are associated with stroke and heart disease." Photos by iStockphoto.
09. Ginger: Stomach
Anyone
who's ever reached for a glass of ginger ale when they’ve had a stomachache
knows about the antinausea effects of ginger. So it's fitting that the herb
somewhat resembles the digestive organ. According to Dr. Moulavi,
"gingerol, which is the ingredient responsible for ginger's pungent scent
and taste, is listed in the USDA database of phytochemicals as having the
ability to prevent nausea and vomiting." Photos by iStockphoto.
10. Sweet Potatoes: Pancreas
The oblong
sweet potato bears a strong resemblance to the pancreas, and also promotes
healthy function in the organ. "Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene,
which is a potent antioxidant that protects all tissues of the body, including
the pancreas, from damage associated with cancer or aging," says Somer.
Photos by Shutterstock.
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