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
09 more after the break...
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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