50 Science Facts That Will Shock You

With so many wellness trends and health “experts” constantly sharing advice it can be overwhelming to know what to trust when it comes to your physical & mental well-being. Sorting through all the information can be confusing but if you rely on science and research, you can separate the facts from myths.

That’s why we’ve gathered 50 science-backed facts about your body and brain that might surprise you, but are 100 percent true. From the unexpected senses heightened by anxiety to the startling connection between your birthday and your death, these Science Facts That Will Shock You are sure to amaze. By turning to evidence-based knowledge, you can feel more confident in understanding your health.

50 Science Facts That Will Shock You

Peeing in a Pool Can Hurt Your Heart

Science Fact: While peeing in a pool may seem harmless because urine is sterile and chlorine is a disinfectant, the combination of the two creates harmful chemicals. The “pool smell” you notice is actually these dangerous chemicals, including cyanogen chloride, which can damage your heart and lungs. Additionally, nitrosamines, another byproduct, are linked to cancer.

Anxiety Makes Bad Smells Worse

Science Fact: Anxiety can affect your sense of smell. A study found that anxiety makes neutral scents unpleasant and bad smells even worse. This is due to the brain’s heightened response to negative emotions.

You Breathe Through One Nostril at a Time

Science Fact: You might think both nostrils work together for breathing, but actually, you inhale and exhale through one nostril at a time. Every few hours, the active nostril takes a break and the other one takes over. Try feeling under your nose to notice this switch!

Men Are More Forgetful Than Women

Science Fact: Studies show that men are generally more forgetful than women. Research suggests this could be due to differences in brain structure, specifically that men’s hippocampus which is important for memory, shrinks faster than women’s.

Your Pupils Can Indicate Alzheimer’s Risk

Science Fact: Alzheimer’s disease can affect your pupils. A study found that people at risk for Alzheimer’s show greater pupil dilation while doing cognitive tasks, as the disease impacts the locus coeruleus in the brainstem.

Blood Makes Up 8-10% of Your Body Weight

Science Fact: Your blood accounts for 8 to 10 percent of your total body weight. An average adult has about 1.2 to 1.5 gallons of blood circulating in their body.

Eggs Improve Reflexes

Science Fact: Eating eggs can boost your reflexes. Eggs contain tyrosine, which the body turns into norepinephrine and dopamine. These compounds enhance energy, alertness, and cognitive performance, similar to how some stimulants work.

Newborns Have Very Little Blood

Science Fact: Newborn babies have much less blood than adults. A typical baby weighing 5 to 8 pounds has about 1 cup of blood.

Birth Weight Can Affect Allergy Risk

Science Fact: A baby’s birth weight can influence their risk of developing allergies. Heavier babies are more likely to develop food allergies and eczema later in life.

Tick Bites Can Cause Red Meat Allergies

Science Fact: A bite from the Lone Star tick can trigger a sudden allergy to red meat. This can lead to severe allergic reactions like vomiting, cramps, and even difficulty breathing.

Red Meat Can Increase Body Odor

Science Fact: Eating red meat can worsen body odor. Studies have shown that people who avoid red meat tend to have a more pleasant and less intense body smell.

Scent of Apples Eases Claustrophobia

Science Fact: Smelling a green apple can make you feel less claustrophobic. Research found that this scent can make spaces feel larger. Cucumbers have a similar effect while barbecue smoke can make spaces feel more cramped.

Most Fat Loss Exits Through Your Lungs

Science Fact: When you lose weight, most of the fat leaves your body as carbon dioxide through your lungs. Only a small portion exits as water through other bodily fluids.

Humans Are the Only Animals with Chins

Science Fact: Unlike other animals, humans have chins. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why but it’s thought that chins may help with chewing.

Some People Have an Extra Bone in Their Knee

Science Fact: Some people have an additional bone in their knee called a fabella. This bone has become more common in recent years, appearing in X-rays more frequently.

More Than Half Your Bones Are in Your Hands and Feet

Science Fact: Out of the 206 bones in your body, 106 are in your hands and feet—27 in each hand and 26 in each foot.

Wearing Heels Can Improve Decision-Making

Science Fact: Wearing high heels can enhance your balance and help you make better shopping decisions. This is known as the equilibrium effect, which also applies to people who have recently done yoga.

Roller Coasters May Help Pass Kidney Stones

Science Fact: Riding certain roller coasters can help pass kidney stones. Research found that rough, quick rides with twists and turns can increase the likelihood of passing a stone especially if seated in the rear of the ride.

Fingernails Grow Faster on Your Dominant Hand

Science Fact: Your fingernails grow faster on your dominant hand and on your bigger fingers. They also grow faster during the day and in summer.

You’re More Likely to Die on Your Birthday

Science Fact: Studies show that you’re 13.8 percent more likely to die on your birthday compared to other days. This increased risk is due to factors like heart and brain diseases, suicide and accidents.

You Spend More Time on the Toilet Than Exercising

Science Fact: On average, adults spend more time on the toilet each week than they do exercising. The average is about 3 hours and 9 minutes on toilet versus 1 hour and 30 minutes exercising.

Chewing Gum Can Improve Focus

Science Fact: Chewing gum can help increase your alertness. A study found that brain associates chewing with food and boosts your focus when you’re engaged in tasks.

Procrastination and Impulsivity Are Genetic

Science Fact: Procrastination and impulsivity can be inherited traits. Research shows that same genes responsible for procrastination also lead to impulsive behaviors.

Taking Pictures Can Affect Your Memory

Science Fact: Taking photos can make it harder to remember details. Studies show that people who take pictures of events often remember less about those events compared to those who don’t.

Active Pregnant Women Have Smarter Babies

Science Fact: Pregnant women who exercise regularly may help boost their child’s brain function and development. Exercise during pregnancy has been linked to improved cognitive outcomes for babies.

Reading Print Books Improves Comprehension

Science Fact: Reading physical books can help you understand complex ideas better than reading on screens. Studies show that print books are more effective for grasping abstract concepts.

Oatmeal Helps Fight Depression

Science Fact: Eating foods high in tryptophan like oatmeal, eggs, chicken, and peanuts, can help improve mood and sleep. This is because tryptophan helps produce serotonin, which is linked to mood regulation and sleep quality.

Coffee Can Help Combat Depression

Science Fact: Drinking coffee may reduce the risk of depression. A study found that each cup of caffeinated coffee consumed daily lowers the risk of depression by 8%.

Bananas Can Boost Your Mood

Science Fact: Bananas contain dopamine which can improve your mood. Eating a banana might help lift your spirits thanks to this happy-making compound.

Hot Liquids Can Cool You Down

Science Fact: Drinking hot beverages like tea or coffee can actually help you cool off on hot days. Increase in sweating from hot drinks helps your body cool down more effectively.

Stress Can Worsen Allergies

Science Fact: Stress can intensify allergic reactions. Research shows that stress can exacerbate allergy symptoms and inflammation.

Exercising Young Helps Bone Health Later

Science Fact: Staying active in your youth helps strengthen bones & reduce the risk of osteoporosis as you age.

Chocolate Can Improve Skin Health

Science Fact: Dark chocolate has antioxidants that can enhance skin health, reverse sun damage and prevent wrinkles.

Eating Chocolate Can Keep You Thinner

Science Fact: People who eat chocolate frequently are often thinner than those who don’t. This trend holds true across various types of chocolate.

Caloric Intake Has Increased Over Time

Science Fact: Americans now consume about 600 more calories daily than in the 1970s, contributing to rising obesity rates.

Lego Takes Time to Pass Through the Body

Science Fact: If swallowed, Lego piece can take nearly two days to pass through digestive system.

High Cholesterol Can Appear on Your Skin

Science Fact: High cholesterol can cause yellow patches on skin known as xanthelasma, particularly around eyes.

Antihistamines Can Reduce Under-Eye Circles

Science Fact: Taking antihistamine before bed can help reduce under-eye circles caused by allergies.

Depression and Anxiety Can Cause Neck and Shoulder Pain

Science Fact: Mental health issues like depression and anxiety can lead to physical pain in the neck & shoulders due to muscle tension.

3D Printed Mini Human Hearts Are a Reality

Science Fact: Scientists have successfully 3D printed a mini human heart, step towards printing full-sized hearts for medical use.

Eggshells Can Help Grow Human Bones

Science Fact: Calcium carbonate from eggshells is used in research to create new bone material for human use.

Saying Thank You Can Improve Your Mood

Science Fact: Expressing gratitude can significantly boost happiness and help overcome depression with regular gratitude improving mood by up to 25%.

Morning Sunlight Can Aid Weight Loss

Science Fact: Exposure to morning sunlight can positively affect body mass index (BMI) and help with weight management.

Massaging Scars Helps Them Fade

Science Fact: Regularly massaging scars can improve their appearance by preventing excessive collagen buildup.

Fish Skin Can Aid Burn Healing

Science Fact: Fish skin- especially from tilapia can be used to treat burns due to its collagen content which aids healing and reduces pain.

Electronic Music Can Deter Mosquitos

Science Fact: Playing electronic music can keep mosquitos away. Certain high-frequency sounds in EDM can deter these insects.

Work Stress May Increase Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Science Fact: High levels of job stress are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, potentially due to higher cortisol levels.

Owning a Dog Can Lower Heart Disease Risk

Science Fact: Dog owners often have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Ginger Helps with Cramps and Bloating

Science Fact: Ginger is effective in reducing menstrual cramps & bloating due to its digestive properties.

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Hidden Sugar Intake Can Be High

Science Fact: Many people consume more sugar than recommended with some taking in up to 46 teaspoons a day from hidden sources.