The visual and nutritional similarities of foods and how they can heal us exemplify how connected we are to nature. It's almost as if nature itself is giving us cues on how to stay healthy! Scientists worldwide are regularly fascinated with just how common this phenomenon is and have been studying it for years – and now it's our turn to spill the secrets. 

Below, we break down one of the most eye-opening (pun intended!) modules in IIN’s Health Coach Training Program to learn more about this amazing food-body connection. (We also have a helpful summary of this topic (and so much more) on our Instagram - follow us!)

Grab a plate and let’s dive in! 

10 Foods That Look Like What They Heal 

Walnuts for the Brain

Next time you see a walnut, crack it open and observe just how similar it looks to the human brain. It has a similar shape, similar wrinkles, and even two hemispheres!

How walnuts help the brain: Walnuts have a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain health by reducing inflammation, preventing neurodegenerative disease, and even improving your brain function and memory! (So the next time you win at trivia night, thank the walnut.) 

Carrots for the Eyes

While a carrot may not look much like an eye from the outside, if you slice it down the middle you may notice it looks like it has an iris and pupil in the middle. This makes it even easier to remember that carrots do wonders for the eyes.

How carrots help the eyes: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene (more like beta-carrotene – get it? Health humor!) which is vital for maintaining good vision and preventing eye diseases. That's not all, either: eating carrots can improve eye health, reduce the risk of cataracts, and even work to improve your vision at night.

Tomatoes for the Heart 

Not only do tomatoes share the same color as the human heart, but if you split it in half you may notice that the chambers inside a tomato look quite similar to the chambers of the heart! 

How tomatoes help the heart: Tomatoes aren't just delicious in a sandwich or salad, they have quite a bit of lycopene, an antioxidant that helps to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. This in turn can help to improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels, and even lower the risk of heart disease. 

Ginger for the Stomach

Many people see ginger as a bit of an ugly duckling of the herb world, but we believe it's beautiful in its own way. With its knobby appearance and curved body, it's hard not to see how similar it is to the human stomach!

How ginger helps the stomach: You may already know this, but ginger has been used for centuries to ease nausea and general stomach discomfort. This is because ginger is great as an anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. Ginger has been shown time and time again to soothe the stomach, ease gastrointestinal distress, and even help us digest food. 

Avocados for the Uterus

Regular readers of the IIN blog know just how much we love the avocado, and this blog is no exception. If you turn an avocado upside down, it looks an awful lot like the shape of the human uterus. Here's another interesting fact: avocados take about nine months to grow from bud to fruit – just like humans. 

How avocados help the uterus: Folic acid, a nutrient found in avocados, is amazing for the uterus! It directly supports reproductive health and can even help to prevent birth defects during pregnancy. It also helps with fetal development, so feel free to eat lots of avocado if you're pregnant! 

Grapes for the Lungs

Grapes may not look like human lungs on the outside, but they look quite a bit like alveoli, which are small sacs within the lungs that help exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide so we can breathe. 

How grapes help the lungs: Ever heard of resveratrol? We hadn't, but it's apparently a huge help to the lungs. The resveratrol and antioxidants in grapes both support our respiratory health and protect our lung tissues from damage. Grapes also help to reduce asthma risk and help clear out toxins from our lungs – a pretty big punch in a pretty small package!

Sweet Potatoes for the Pancreas

The pancreas has a bit of an odd ovular shape, similar to that of a sweet potato. It's no wonder then that they go hand-in-hand!

How sweet potatoes help the pancreas: Whether you're roasting them, mashing them, or eating them as a salty side dish, sweet potatoes are helping us regulate our glucose levels and reduce our resistance to insulin. This is because they're full of beta-carotene and fiber, two super helpful nutrients! Those suffering from diabetes may also want to incorporate more sweet potato into their diet, as it can help manage blood sugar as well. 

Celery for the Bones

Celery has a long, slender, simple design, much like many of the bones in the human skeleton. (Ignore the bright green color and you'll see what we mean!)

How celery helps the bones: You may associate the word 'silicon' with plastic surgery or tupperware, but silicon is also a mineral that directly supports the strength and health of our bones. By eating lots of celery, you're actively maintaining your bone density and preventing bone conditions like osteoporosis! 

Mushrooms for the Ears

Bear with us here: Take a brown or white mushroom, slice it in half, and turn it sideways. Doesn't it look a bit like the cochlea (inner ear)? The visual above should help you see it. 

How mushrooms help the ear: Mushrooms are a versatile topping that has a boat load of vitamin D, which is a particularly helpful nutrient for ear health. Eating lots of mushrooms can help reduce the risk of hearling loss and prevent potential ear conditions. 

Kidney Beans for the Kidneys

Last but not least, we're including a food that is actually named after a body part! As the name suggests, kidney beans are actually named after the human kidney due to their uncanny similarity in both shape and color. 

How kidney beans help kidneys: These multifaceted beans aren't just a great addition to chili, they're rich in fiber, iron, and magnesium, all of which are pivotal to healthy kidney function. 

Health Benefits: Eating kidney beans helps detoxify the kidneys, lower the risk of kidney disease, and regulate waste elimination. 

Find Your Nutritional Niche With the Health Coach Training Program 

If you’re interested in learning more about the connection between food and the body, enroll in the Health Coach Training Program! This course includes valuable insights from expert faculty, and one of the standout modules in the program explores this very subject.

Try our Sample Class today and see for yourself!