Print article “You Are What You Eat” has been implied to reflect one’s overall health; if you eat healthily you are healthy and vice versa. However, you will discover that “good-for-you” foods have a closer resemblance to the body parts they nourish. Looking at some interesting comparisons; a slice of carrot from a distance, can easily resemble an eye, and on closer view reveals a pattern of radiating lines that mimics the pupil and iris. Ginger resembles the stomach. Red wine, a source of antioxidants and polyphenols, resembles blood. Coincidence? Possibly. To see more comparisons we found 8 foods resembling the organs they support. Though these healthy foods benefit the whole body, the list is a fun reminder of what to eat to target a specific area.
Carrots:
Resembles an eye.
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is responsible for the orange color and can reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Beta-carotene not only enhances blood flow to the eyes and their functionality, but it also protects again macular degeneration in age-related sight problems (the most common cause of blindness).
Tomato:
Resembles the heart.
When sliced open, the tomato looks like the structure of the heart containing its multiple chambers. Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk for heart disease. Fun fact: is you pair tomatoes with a little healthy fat, such as olive oil or avocados, it will increase the body’s lycopene absorption by almost 10x.
Celery:
Resembles bones.
Celery is a great source of silicon, which gives bones their strength. Fun fact: celery is 23% sodium & bones are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet your body will pull it from your bones, weakening them; therefore, celery helps replenish the bones if this ever happens.
Sweet Potato:
Resembles the pancreas.
High in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects the pancreas from damaging free radicals. They can also help balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Ginger:
Resembles the stomach.
One of the most beneficial aspects of ginger root is its ability to aid in digestion. It can also help ease nausea, upset stomach, and motion sickness. The ingredient responsible for the potent scent and taste is called gingerol, which is a phytochemical that has the ability to prevent nausea and vomiting. No wonder your parents always told you to drink ginger ale when you were sick!
Avocado:
Resembles the uterus (the light bulb shape of the avocado).
Avocados are a good source of folic acid & folate has been found to reduce the risk of cervical dysplasia (abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix). Research shows eating 1 avocado per week can shed post-birth weight, balance hormones, and prevent cervical cancers. It also takes 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to the ripened fruit!
Mushrooms:
Resembles the ear.
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. Adding it to your meals could actually improve your hearing. That’s because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
Walnuts:
Resembles the brain.
Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain function. This nut has been shown to enhance signaling within the brain, encourage new messaging links between brain cells, and help create over 3 dozen neurotransmitters for brain function. No wonder they’ve nicknamed walnuts “brain food”!
