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
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.
