Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “ The body is a big sagacity, a plurality with one sense, a war and a peace, a flock and a shepherd.“ For every time I think of his wise words, I reassure myself again that the perfection of a human body will never stop amazing me. When I was doing some research, I came across a study which reveals another of nature’s great masterpieces, explaining that human body is actually trying to talk to us and give us some hints about how we should nourish ourselves in order to boost some of the most essential parts of our body. The study shows that some food items are similar to the organs of our body…and this relation is not accidental !!! Let’s have a look at some of the ‘food- looking’ body parts…or ‘body-looking’ food items….?
1) CARROT – EYES
When you slice the carrot, you will see the layers that are very similar to the iris of a human eye. This similarity is definitely not just a coincidence. Carrots contain beta-carotene which is converted by our body into vitamin A, an important nutrient for overall eye health. Deficiency of the vitamin A can easily lead to dryness in the eyes, swollen eyelids, corneal ulcers or even blindness. There is no doubt that this vegetable helps to promote the overall health of our eyesight.
Eating Options: raw carrot, carrot cream soup, carrot-cabbage salad, carrot-potatoes puree
“The Eyes are the window to your soul”
― William Shakespeare
2) WALNUT-BRAIN
Next time you will be thinking of what kind of snack you’re going to grab in the supermarket, don’t go for the package of crisps and rather grab a pack of walnuts. You will not only please your stomach, but your brain as well. Walnut that reminds us of left and right hemisphere of the human brain is full of omega-3s, necessary for its flexibility. The human brain is made up of about 60% of the structural fat that needs high-quality fats like omega-3s to function efficiently. Eating walnuts also prevents depressions and mental diseases, so by eating walnuts you will not only improve your exam results but your mental well-being as well.
Eating Options: walnut pesto, salad with walnuts, walnuts with honey
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
― Dr. Seuss
3) GRAPEFRUIT-BREASTS
If you sometimes find yourself thinking of the similarity of women’s breasts with this sour citrus fruit, you will be surprised that scientists offer us an explanation which says that the similarity isn’t accidental at all. Grapefruits contain natural compounds limonoids, that play a role in breast cancer prevention. Limonoids have the ability to induce programmed cell death of the cancer cells. The good news is that preventing breast cancer is not the only reason to consume citrus limonoids, though. In the lab, limonoids have shown cytotoxicity to colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, neuroblastoma, leukemia, and others.
Eating Options: grapefruit juice, salad with grapefruit, grapefruit brulee
“There’s a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to damage yours.”
― Cary Elwes
4) TOMATO-HEART
When you cut the tomato in a half, you will see many chambers that resemble the shape of a human heart. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant which helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases and some cancerous diseases. Tomatoes are also a very good source of potassium, which is recommended to patients with high blood pressure as it helps to lower it. Vitamin B6, present in each tomato, helps to convert dangerous chemical homocysteine, which damages blood vessel walls, into other harmless molecules.
Eating Options: raw tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato salad, tomatoes with basil and mozzarella
“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”
― Buddha
5) GINGER-STOMACH
When you have a closer look at the ginger root, you will see that it resembles of one of the most important organs of human body, our stomach. That’s why it should not surprise us that ginger help us with digestion and maintains our stomach healthy and stable. Ginger’s root contains gingerols and shogaols, which help to treat upset stomach, motion sickness and relieving the nausea and stomach flu. Ginger has always been one of the main ingredients in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Indian cuisine as it helped to disinfect possible bacteria within the food and boost the digestion process.
Eating Options: raw ginger, ginger tea, ginger juice, gingerbread, ginger-vegetable rice noodles, sushi with ginger
“Indigestion is charged by God with enforcing morality on the stomach.”
― Victor Hugo
6) CELERY-BONES
Long, green stalks of celery can often remind us the shape of human bones. Celery contains the essential mineral calcium that is vital to the development and maintenance of strong bones, and can help to prevent bone loss during the menopause. Celery also contains vitamin K that suppresses decreases in spinal bone mineral density. Whether you serve it raw, crispy or cooked, celery will enrich your body with phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins.
Eating Options: celery soup, stewed celery, pasta with celery, celery salad, celery spread, celery juice
“I have no history but the length of my bones.”
― Robin Skelton
7) AVOCADO-UTERUS
Avocado has always been related to human fertility not only because of its shape that resembles female uterus, but also because of its nutritional benefits that boost the function of hormones. Aztecs considered avocado as the “fertility fruit” as it has a high vitamin E content, which balances the hormones, sheds excess baby weight and helps to prevent cervical cancers. Interesting fact about avocado tells us that the stone in the avocado not only resembles a baby in the womb but it takes exactly 9 months for one avocado to grow from a blossom to a ripened fruit.
Eating Options: Guacamole, avocado salad, chicken with avocado, avocado spread, avocado soup, avocado fajita
“There is no other organ quite like the uterus. If men had such an organ they would brag about it. So should we”
― Ina May Gaskin
8) RED WINE-BLOOD
Are you feeling guilty for every time you drink a glass of red wine? If you drink it from time to time, DON’T BE! Red wine doesn’t not only remind the natural color of our blood but is also rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, including resveratrol, which prevents damage to blood vessels, reduces “bad” cholesterol and prevents blood clots. Additionally, polyphenols help to protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. So don’t hesitate and grab a glass of red wine once in a while, and the best option would be the non-alcoholic one.
Eating Options: red wine, red wine with fruits, additional ingredient when cooking (risotto, deer)
“Blood alone moves the wheels of history.”
― Martin Luther
9) MUSHROOM – EAR
Similarly as with a carrot, when you slice the mushroom in a half, you will quickly realize how much it resembles the shape of a human ear. Mushroom contains vitamin D which is essential for our bones, (as it helps the body to use calcium )especially the tiny ones in the ear, which transmit sound to the brain. Researches also showed that most of the patients that are reported with bilateral cochlear deafness are associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Eating Options: mushroom cream soup, stewed mushrooms as a side dish, mushroom risotto
“The ear is the avenue to the heart.”
― Voltaire
10) BANANA- LIPS/SMILE
Does the half moon shape of one of the sweetest fruits remind you of something? Banana contains an amino acid called tryptophan which, when digested, turns into serotonin. Serotonin is known as our “mood neurotransmitter” which keeps us emotionally and socially stable. So next time, you will be doing some food shopping, don’t take the good old banana for granted, grab one and cheer yourself up with this delicious fruit.
Eating Options: bananas with honey and walnuts, banana with rice and meat (Cuban cuisine) banana with cream and chocolate
“A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home.”
―Bishop Sheen
Sources/Pictures:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/human-biology/carrots-eyesight.htm
http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-deficiency
http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/01/26/fea06.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/038235_lemon_extract_breast_cancer_tumor_cells.html
http://www.smashinglists.com/8-look-alike-food-organs-and-their-health-benefits/2/
http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/06/walnuts-the-ultimate-brain-food.html
http://www.tomatodirt.com/tomato-facts-health-benefits.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/508277-health-benefits-of-celery-on-the-bones/
http://www.theflamingvegan.com/view-post/Fruit-of-the-Womb
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089
iStockphoto
Shutterstock
3D Clinic
3D4Medical.com
Hey smiley, great article, enjoyed the insightfulness. Thanks so much. You’re terrific!
Joy is in the journey within,
Kurt 🙂
Hi Kurt,
your positive words always make my day 🙂 Well, as I said….to connect the physical with spiritual.
Sending smile 🙂
Andrea
Andrea, What a fantastic article and blog! I wish that Jakub had shared this blog sooner!
Dan x
Hi Dan,
thank you very very much for your kind comment 🙂 I am very happy to hear some positive words from such a good biologist 🙂
Hope to meet you soon,
Andrea 🙂
What a great and CREATIVE article. Great information and execution.
Hi,
thank you for your positive comment 🙂 I am happy you enjoyed reading it….that was the aim of writing it 🙂
Best,
Andrea
I love this! Such a great way to remember what veggies (and drinks 🙂 ) help which part of your body. Looking forward to reading future posts!
Best,
Erika
Hi Erika,
thanks for your kind comment. I am glad you enjoyed reading it. Yes, lets supply our bodies with as many veggies as we can 🙂
And to think I used not like grapefruit! Man, am I gonna buy ’em by the caseload from here on in. Gonna end up with man boobs, I’m a’feared, Andrea!!!
I believe grapefruits are equally good for men and women 🙂
Great opening photo! Let food be thy medicine and let medicine by thy food. I think I got that right? And the article is so true, but the most exciting part is that all veggies help in all ways, just some more than others like you talk about here.
Hi,
thank you for your kind words 🙂 You’re absolutely right, we should supply our body with as many veggies as possible as all of them are beneficial in different way 🙂
Best,
Andrea
This is a great post! I would never have made those connections myself, but looking at your article, it makes perfect sense! I am always on the look-out for a healthier way if eating to improve my body, as I have Multiple Sclerosis and go to the gytm regularly! It’s good to see that some of my favourite foods are helping different parts of my body!!
Hi,
I am very very happy that you enjoyed reading this post 🙂 The healthy way of living you’ve chosen is one of the best things you can do for yourself and I believe that with persistence and positive attitude..healthy lifestyle will help you to beat even such a bad illness.
I wish you all the best on your lifestyle journey 🙂
Andrea 🙂
Pingback: The Food Within You…or…You Within the Food? | Brucella N
Thank you for this, Andrea! Although I’ve come across something similar before, you put this together so nicely! I’ve shared it on Fb and re-blogged it for you. 😉
Thank you one more time Brucella 🙂 I really appreciate these words from such a great blogger like you 🙂
Andrea
Great article. Thought provoking.
Thank You 🙂 Perfection of our body is thought provoking 🙂
I remember reading once that pomegranate represented breasts. have you heard of that one before ?
I’m afraid I didn’t…..I will have a look ….thanks for telling me 🙂
Andrea, loved it. Think you should do a follow up post with a few others. Like Figs, dates, cauliflower, and a few others. They are short, sweet, and right to the point.
Thank you for your ideas 🙂 I think I will have to extend this post 🙂
Great article – I liked the illustrations, very insightful.
Thank you very much for your comment. Yes, the pictures are beautifully done by photographers I listed below 🙂
Reblogged this on Life Chronicles.
What a lovely blog post 🙂
I know I’m going to think of it next time I munch on celery or carrots. Walnuts, avocados, grapefruit and wine I’ve always loved but now they will have a special meaning. Thanks to the those evocative pics.
Hi Kalpana,
thank you very much for your words. I am happy you enjoyed reading this post…..Our body is just magical 🙂
Wish you all the best,
Andrea 🙂
Nice site, and so important to eat organic, healthy! My philosophy: Nature is all around us and in us. We are what we eat, breathe, and drink. We can only be as healthy as what we are. When we improve nature, we improve our well-being.(http://anarette.com/my-philosophy/).
Hi,
thank you for your kind comment. You are so right 🙂 Only when we blend physically and mentally with nature, we can find the healthy way of living.
All the best,
Andrea
I love the compare & contrast pictures at the end. The post was in and of itself was wonderful! Glad I stopped by 🙂
Hi Laura,
thank you very much for your kind comment 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed reading it. I look forward to your future posts 🙂
Andrea
Awe, thanks so much! 🙂
That was really interesting.
Thanks 🙂
Hi,
thank you for comment. I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Reblogged this on myhealthalive and commented:
This is an amazing visualization of the connection between Body and Food. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for liking my blog! I thought that I would check yours out. I found this post very interesting and insightful. I will definitely send this link to my biology profs. I know they will like this.
Hi Hannah,
thank you for your beautiful comment 🙂 I am very happy you enjoyed reading this post 🙂 Thanks, I believe your biology profs will know much more about this topic 🙂
Best,
Andrea
Great article, Andrea! Food/diet is sooo important to self-improvement and so many other components in life. Thank you for visiting our site, we can share some thoughts and material here at WP!
Jeff
Redo…
Hi Jeff,
I am very happy you enjoyed reading this post 🙂 You’re so right with everything you said 🙂 I am looking forward to reading all of your future posts 🙂
Best,
Andrea
Have a great weekend! We’ll be talking next week…
Jeff
Reblogged this on oldworldcanapa and commented:
User Don’t dig your grave with your own knife and fork said it all. Couldn’t have done a better job. #HealthisWealth
Great post! I learned a lot!
Thank YOu 🙂 I am glad you found it useful 🙂 Our body is really a miracle
I love this! Just shows you the answers are there in nature, if we only look. Much like the energetics of food. Thanks for writing this!
Hi,
thank you very much for your kind comment 🙂 I always say that our body is a huge miracle and we should never underestimate nature 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Best,
Andrea
Great post! I showed it to my students and was really amazed by the info you just shared. I think more parents should show this to their children, it really caught the interest of the children (and grownups too!) around me. Thank you for your hard work!
Hi Donna,
your comment made me happy like a little kid 🙂 I am very happy that you and your students enjoyed reading this post. The functions of our body and nature itself never stops to amaze me and I am very happy I am not the only one.
Wish you all the best,
Andrea 🙂
The similarities are really quite amazing, what a great post!
Hi Andrea,
you’re absolutely right, our body itself is a pure amazement 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed this post.
Best,
Andrea
Congratulations, you have been nominated for an award.
http://gegebearbear.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/another-award-already-wow-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Good Luck! Jill
Thank You very very much Jill 🙂
You are welcome
Brilliant!
Thank You Maryanne, I am glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Love it Andrea – thank you
I am very happy you liked it 🙂
Best,
Andrea
Pingback: The Food Within You…or…You Within the Food? | Yelhispressing
combining food with health — love it! & definitely a creative approach!
Thank You very much for your kind comment 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Best,
Andrea
Great story. Well told. Fantastic post Andrea.
Mr Simple
http://lessisbetter.org/2013/05/09/low-harm/
Hi Mr Simple 🙂
thanks for your kind comment:) And for the link to your blog 🙂 I am happy to be your next follower.
Best,
Andrea
Sounds like a mistake. Very low brow compared to your blog!
I wouldn’t follow if I didn’t like your blog posts…..and to me….they’re great
Ah, but I am the food itself.
Loved this article and will start eating more celery to help the bones in my foot heal faster! Pinkeyp
http://lisfrancblog.wordpress.com
Hi,
thanks for your kind comment 🙂 Great idea 🙂 I also included it in my last food shopping 🙂
Best,
Andrea
This is one great post, Andrea! Thank you for this. 🙂
Hi,
thank you for your kind comment 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Best,
Andrea
Pleasure’s all mine. 🙂
Great Post. I remember how the media was telling women NOT to eat grapefruits for they could be a (contributing) cause to breast cancer. Obviously not true…
I also came across to that information…..but after doing a small research…I found that this fact is closer to truth 🙂
Great post. Very clever. Being a vegan (actually a cheating vegan) I’ve read a great deal about food but I’ve never seen the subject addressed in this way before.
Hi Malcolm,
vegan or not……just eat what you feel good about when you spot it…..Our body can decide the best, without much knowledge…we just have to listen. Thanks for lovely comment.
Best,
Andrea
That’s absolutely brilliant! 🙂
Hi,
thank you 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
Best,
Andrea
Great! Will share it on my FB.
Hi,
thank you very much. I am very glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Best,
Andrea
Reblogged this on SwissChiropractic's Blog and commented:
Great Content!
Reblogged this on One Regular Guy Writing about Food, Exercise and Living Longer and commented:
Fun and fruitful read …
Whew! Quoting Nietzsche in a healthy food related blog may be a first! Not only was it intriguing but it made me want to read more. Already eat mushrooms, carrots and prefer red wine to white. (Gotta stock on those walnuts. )
Thanks for the time and effort you put into thos post. Informative, accessible and entertaining (as always) Ms. M!
Thank You for your supportive comment 🙂 Well, philosophy is in everything and everything is in philosophy…so why not to quote him? 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Best,
Andrea
This is a wonderful post! I am going to have to read it more thoroughly, but the research and the photos speak volumes! Thank you for visiting my blog also 🙂
Hi Sarita,
thanks for your lovely words 🙂 I am happy we found each other on WordPress 🙂
Best,
Andrea
These are absolutely wonderful! The picture at the top is a pure gem!
Thank You Lucía 🙂 I am very happy you enjoyed reading it:)
Best,
Andrea
There she iiiiss… Miss Andrea…
That’s to the Miss America pagent song. 😀 Anywho, I just stopped and thought you + work + work +mooorre work + time = (Do you know what I’m thinking?) Books, radio, television. All I can add is throw just one out for the male population, like “vitamin C will help you work at the mill while recovering from such and such. Put your audience on omni, because men often eat only meat & fries. They die early.
That is hard on women that men’s age of departure is early. I am so happy to see more of your stuff. You are in school. You don’t have to go “far”- why not go big. Nutrition is the doctor before the doctor, so Dr. Andrea, what say thou of these words? You are 20. If you REALLY love this, go big. Aim for Telly Time!
-Andy
Hi Andy,
thank you very much for your advice, I really appreciate that you took a minute of your day and thought about how to improve this page 🙂 Not everyone would do that so THANKS.
You’re absolutely right with the focus on male population, the only problem is that it’s very hard to attract them as they usually don’t take this healthy stuff seriously…some of my male friends even told me that they like my page but they would never go into this…..But I will think about something creative and interesting that could possibly attract them.
Thank You for ideas with telly and books….one month ago I actually started filming some videos for this blog but don’t wanna talk about more because I still need a lot of filming and time to produce a good and catchy clip or short movie.
Thank You one more time for your words and very very helpful advice.
Best,
From Andy to Andy 🙂
You hit upon something huge, Andrea. You might see why I’m the HOLISTIC wayfarer. I design of the universe and her inhabitants takes my breath away. A clip of an old post of mine:
For the person is a microcosmic embodiment of the universe. There is the planetary orbit. The revolutions. And we are governed by a circadian rhythm. Whether or not we choose to rise and set with the sun, our organ systems each heed their own clock of peak functioning in keeping with the tide of day and night. The woman’s body is a candid avatar of the Cycle.
Beans are good for the kidneys, I mention at My Holistic Table. They are shaped like….kidneys.
Hi,
I believe you could teach me a lot about the cleverness of human body 🙂 I am ready to jump into your older posts and read more from your beautiful work.
Thank You 🙂
So so sweet. Thanks for the receptivity (will take you far in life). I look fwd to seeing more from you. Xxxx Diana
I thank you for your honest and kind comments….it means a lot to me 🙂
Reblogged this on theoverberg.
Thank You very much…I am very happy you enjoyed this article.
Have a beautiful day
Andrea 🙂
This was an amazingly clever post! Well done!
Thank You Ellie 🙂 Our body is amazingly clever 🙂
Reblogged this on oswell&rose and commented:
This is fantastic!!!
Thank You very much 🙂 I am veeery happy you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Nice information in these days of Fast/Junk food.
Let me add to this approach
We become what we eat-The Bhagavad Gita of the Hindus declare.
What we eat influences our thought processes as well.
Our moods, swings are conditioned and determined by the Food we ear.
Quote from my post
“I could feel I remained undisturbed and was in fact was watching things happening around me,even if it involved me, as though I was a spectator.
There was no hurry in doing things, no anxiety.
There was no heaviness while waking up in the morning.
This I could attribute only to the Diet, for there was no significant change in my Lifestyle other than this.
Why don’t you try”
Diet details.
Avoid.
All Root vegetables, like Potatoes.
Onions,
Garlic,
Masalas.
Vegetables like Carrot,Beans,Drumstick,Tomatoes,Cabbage,Brinjal,beetroot,Radish.
Include,
Raw Plantains,
Lady’s Finger,
Poosanikkai/Bootha kumablakkai
Indian Beans(kothavarankai)
Avaraikkai,’
You will find more on this subject filed under, Indian Philosophy/Health’
One might find them useful.
Thank you very much for your excellent comment. I agree with every single word you said. I feel like a completely different person since I started to avoid eating certain types of food….I wish everyone could experience that
Thanks
Andrea
Thanks.Any information on this subject is welcome.