The human body is a complex and amazing thing. From the beating of our hearts to the firing of our neurons, our bodies are constantly working hard to keep us alive and functioning. But what do we really know about ourselves? Here are ten fun facts about the human body that will amaze you!
1. Tongue Lashing
Did you know that your tongue is one of the strongest muscles in your body? It’s true! Your tongue is made up of eight different muscles that work together to help you eat, speak, and swallow.
2. Go With Your Gut
Our gut contains over 100 trillion bacteria? In fact, there are more bacterial cells in our gut than there are human cells in our entire body!
3. Dirty Mouth
We all know that we need to brush our teeth to keep them clean, but did you know that we have more bacteria in our mouths than there are people on Earth? That’s right – our dirty mouths are teeming with billions of tiny organisms. Thankfully, most of them are harmless.
4. Face: The Facts
Our skin is our largest organ and it does a lot more than just keep our insides in. Our skin protects us from the outside world and helps regulate our body temperature. It’s also home to millions of tiny creatures called microbes. These microbes help protect us from disease and help us digest our food.
5. Sweat It Out
We all know that sweating is a way for our bodies to cool off, but did you know that it also plays an important role in our immune system? Sweat contains a type of protein called dermacidin, which has antimicrobial properties that can help protect us from bacteria and viruses. So next time you’re sweating it out at the gym, remember that you’re not just getting a workout — you’re also giving your immune system a boost!
6. Seat of Power
The Gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body. It’s responsible for moving your legs and keeping your trunk upright.
7. Under the Skin
Our bones are as strong as concrete! In fact, a cubic inch of bone can support up to 19,000 lbs of weight.
8. Urine for a Surprise
You probably know that urine is mostly water. But did you know that it also contains urea? Urea is a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down protein. It’s actually pretty useful stuff! Urea can be used as fertilizer, and it’s even sometimes used in skin care products. Who knew that something we so often try to avoid could have so many uses?
9. Your Dark Underbelly
When was the last time you considered your belly button? Scientists who earn a livelihood by staring into space think there’s a lot going on down there. They dug and poked and discovered around 2,400 distinct microorganisms that live in the belly button. That’s a lot of unexpected visitors!
10. Dust to Dust
Are you sick of dusting? You might be the one to blame. Human skin cells account for approximately 70% of the dust in your house. Every year, you shed around 1.5 pounds of dead skin. That equates to roughly 3 12 cup sugar.
