“I want results!” These are the words fitness instructors hear most often at the gym when they ask members what they expect from their visits. Usually, these people train hard and tend to push their bodies far beyond their limits. But what is the human body, really? How did nature manage to create such a perfect and fascinating mechanism? We can’t be the only ones wondering!
Although it isn’t Friday the 13th today, we want to add some variety to your week with a short list of 13 things you may not know about your body.
Here they are:
- Smiles
A middle-aged person smiles about 7 times a day. If they reach 11 smiles, experts consider them optimists. Pessimists, unfortunately, smile no more than 1–2 times a day.
- Nutrition
A person can survive 11 days without food. This is the limit, after which a lack of nutrients becomes fatal.
- Water
The maximum we can last without water is 3 days. No matter what happens, never do this to your body!
- Food and water for a lifetime
A person eats an average of 50 tons of food and drinks 50,000 liters of fluids in their lifetime. That’s a serious amount of “eating and drinking.” Do you know which food and drink groups to choose and which to cut from your diet to lead a healthy lifestyle?
- Number of bones in adults and children
Did you know that an adult’s body has 206 bones, while children have 300? That’s because bones fuse as we grow.
- Human eye blinks
The human eye blinks an average of 4.2 million times a year. That’s an average of 11,507 times a day or 480 times an hour.
- Sleeping position
Only humans sleep on their backs. This position is unfamiliar to animals, and if you take a closer look at your pet, you’ll notice this. Of course, cats don’t count. They’re not from this planet anyway!
- Composition of the human brain
The human brain is made up of 80% water. This means you need to drink plenty of water to nourish it and help it function normally. Ever wondered why you get a headache out of nowhere? Dehydration and not drinking enough fluids are often the cause. Drink more and you’ll see that your body will feel better overall. This will also reduce water retention and bloating.
- The human tongue
Like fingerprints, every person’s tongue print is unique. The average human tongue is 10 centimeters long. Two-thirds of its length is visible, while one-third is hidden.
- Blood cells
The human body produces and destroys 15 million blood cells every second. Can you guess what that means? We’re all millionaires!
- Dead skin cells
The dust in your home is largely made up of dead skin cells, because your body sheds between 30,000 and 40,000 dead skin cells.
- Airflow when you sneeze
When you sneeze, you “shoot” a jet of air at around 160 km/h. So covering your mouth isn’t just good manners—it’s also a matter of health awareness.
- Stomach acid
The acid in your stomach is so strong it can dissolve a razor blade. Because of the stomach acid it produces, the cells lining your stomach are completely replaced every 3 days.
Although science has solved many of the mysteries of the human body, it cannot say with absolute certainty what your body looks like. Every body is unique. Fortunately, thanks to science, some very clever engineers have created a devicethat can determine facts about your body with incredible accuracy in just 40 seconds—body fat percentage, bone density, water content, and more. If you’re eager to see how your body compares with average human norms, you can try it at Pulse Fitness clubs on Bulgaria Blvd. and in Hadji Dimitar residential district.
BONUS:
Thirsty for more fascinating facts about the human body? You’ll find 50 more here!