Have you ever considered that different foods have specific health benefits for the parts of the body they look like? Walnuts look like little brains, and guess what – they are really good for our brains! Could a kidney bean actually be good for our kidneys? And what about carrots – we know they are good for our eyes, and they look like eyes when sliced. Coincidence? Let’s look at the facts of some foods that look like the body parts they’re good for.
Carrots for eye health
Chop a carrot and it’s easy to see that the veggie looks right back at you as it very closely resembles an eyeball. We all know that carrots are good for your eyes, and as it turns out, this isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Carrots are filled with vitamins and antioxidants and are an excellent source of lutein and beta carotene, which are antioxidants that benefit eye health and protect against age-related degenerative eye diseases. It turns out that carrots also enhance blood flow to the eyes.
Grapefruit for breast health
Grapefruit has a lot to offer nutritionally. It is a good source of vitamin C and a phytochemical, naringenin, which appears to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Grapefruits, along with other citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, look just like the mammary glands of the female. Citrus fruits assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Olives for ovaries
Olives are full of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. According to a study in Italy, olives and olive oil have been shown to reduce a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer. In addition, Jeremy Groll, author of Fertility Foods, says these healthy fats are critical for manufacturing hormones and maintaining reproductive health.
C for celery and c for calcium
Isn’t it interesting that bones are 23% sodium, and so is celery! Celery is a great source of silicon, which is part of the molecular structure that gives bones their strength, and a single cup of chopped celery packs 40 mg of calcium.
Walnuts for brain function
Walnuts really do look like little brains, and the shape of the walnut even has left and right side resembling the left and the right hemispheres of the brain. It’s no surprise walnuts are nicknamed “brain food” — they have a significantly high concentration of DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid which has been shown to protect brain health in newborns, improve cognitive performance in adults, and prevent or ameliorate age-related cognitive decline.
Tomato beats
Slice open a tomato and you’ll quickly see multiple chambers that resemble the structure of a heart. Tomatoes have 2 key nutrients that have a big impact on heart health, namely lycopene and potassium. Lycopene is a chemical that gives a tomato its red colour and is also a powerful antioxidant, and potassium is a mineral that can help lower blood pressure by taking some of the sodium out of your body, and by relaxing the walls of your blood vessels. Who knew!
Slice open a tomato and you’ll quickly see multiple chambers that resemble the structure of a heart.
An earful of mushrooms
Slice a mushroom in half and it’s not hard to notice the resemblance of the human ear. But could it improve your hearing? Totally! Mushrooms are one of the few foods that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny auditory ossicles in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
Sweet potato sweet pancreas
The oblong sweet potato is not only delicious but is also linked to boosting pancreatic function. It has also been found to stabilise blood sugar levels by releasing sugars gradually into the bloodstream, balancing the glycemic index of diabetics.
Ginger for your tummy
Ginger has long been recognized as a remedy for nausea, motion sickness and other digestive problems. Ginger contains gingerol, the ingredient responsible for the herb’s pungent taste and scent. Gingerol is listed on the US Department of Agriculture’s database of phytochemicals as having the ability to cure and or prevent vomiting and nausea!
Go for grapes
Alveoli, which look like bunches of grapes, are tiny sacs within our lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and bloodstream. Including red/purple grapes in your diet has been proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema.
Kidney beans for you-know-what
Kidney beans are said to heal and help maintain kidney function, and yes, they look just like the human kidneys! Interesting fact: the kidney bean got its name due to the resemblance it bears to real human kidneys. Kidney beans have significant amounts of fibre and soluble fibre. They are also very high in protein and iron.
