Advertisement
Topics
Diseases and conditions
Mental Health
Bones and Joints
First Aid & Minor Ailments
Dental & Opthalmic
Nutrition
Vitamins & Minerals
Mental Health
Bones and Joints
First Aid & Minor Ailments
Dental & Opthalmic
Nutrition
Vitamins & Minerals
Hot stuff
Newsletters
Promotions
Lose weight today
Get a personal diet plan
Get a personal diet plan
Bizarre bodily functions
continued from page 2
What is the point of earwax?
You may ask if we really need to produce something as unattractive and seemingly unnecessary as earwax. Earwax is produced by tiny glands in the outer part of the ear and is vital for catching particles of dust and for getting rid of tiny bacteria too. Tiny hairs in the outer ear move the wax to the outside so that the ear canal is kept clean and the eardrum is protected. The sticky brown wax that comes out of our ears is in fact a medley of dead bacteria and skin cells, debris and dust.
Why do we pass wind?
And now for one of the less attractive bodily emissions: gas. Well, given that our bodies are like 24-hour factories, constantly processing air, liquids and foods, it's hardly surprising that we produce a by-product or two. In fact, on average, we pass wind 15 times a day, and it is normal to produce up to three and half milk bottles' worth of wind daily! But have you ever wondered why it is that eating beans, cabbage, broccoli, curry and beer can result in smells that could only be described as rotten eggs? The culprits: smelly substances like hydrogen sulphide that are produced when food is broken down in the colon.
As for those sometimes embarrassing and inopportune tummy rumblings, they are produced when the liquid and gas contents of the intestine are shunted back and forth by contractions of the gut. They can be the product of hunger, anxiety, fright and, yes, unfortunately for us, sexual excitement!
What on earth is belly button fluff?
Ok, so last but not least, why do we get those strange little bits of bluish fluff in our navels? Believe it or not, in 2002, a University of Sydney researcher won the 'Ig Nobel Prize' (the spoof Nobel prize for dubious contributions to scientific research) for his investigation into the cause of tummy-button fluff, in which he examined the fluff samples of 5000 people! His conclusion was that the fluff is made up of clothing fibres and skin cells that are led to the tummy-button via body hair.
What is the point of earwax?
You may ask if we really need to produce something as unattractive and seemingly unnecessary as earwax. Earwax is produced by tiny glands in the outer part of the ear and is vital for catching particles of dust and for getting rid of tiny bacteria too. Tiny hairs in the outer ear move the wax to the outside so that the ear canal is kept clean and the eardrum is protected. The sticky brown wax that comes out of our ears is in fact a medley of dead bacteria and skin cells, debris and dust.
Why do we pass wind?
And now for one of the less attractive bodily emissions: gas. Well, given that our bodies are like 24-hour factories, constantly processing air, liquids and foods, it's hardly surprising that we produce a by-product or two. In fact, on average, we pass wind 15 times a day, and it is normal to produce up to three and half milk bottles' worth of wind daily! But have you ever wondered why it is that eating beans, cabbage, broccoli, curry and beer can result in smells that could only be described as rotten eggs? The culprits: smelly substances like hydrogen sulphide that are produced when food is broken down in the colon.
As for those sometimes embarrassing and inopportune tummy rumblings, they are produced when the liquid and gas contents of the intestine are shunted back and forth by contractions of the gut. They can be the product of hunger, anxiety, fright and, yes, unfortunately for us, sexual excitement!
What on earth is belly button fluff?
Ok, so last but not least, why do we get those strange little bits of bluish fluff in our navels? Believe it or not, in 2002, a University of Sydney researcher won the 'Ig Nobel Prize' (the spoof Nobel prize for dubious contributions to scientific research) for his investigation into the cause of tummy-button fluff, in which he examined the fluff samples of 5000 people! His conclusion was that the fluff is made up of clothing fibres and skin cells that are led to the tummy-button via body hair.
previous | 1 | 2 | 3 |
printer friendly
send to a friend
Created: 11/02/2004 Updated: 10/10/2007
This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational
purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a
substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or
hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or
that of a child, please consult your family's health provider
immediately and do not wait for a response from our
professionals. For the full Disclaimer,
click here.
RATE IT
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
iVillage Features
Message Boards
Pregnancy & Baby |
Parenting |
Health |
Diet & Fitness |
Beauty & Fashion|
Relationships |
Home & Garden |
Food & Drink |
Work & Career |
Entertainment
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
© iVillage Limited 2000-2008. All rights reserved. | © iVillage inc. 1995-2008. All rights reserved.
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB