Nature’s brilliance goes far beyond what we know — it hides fascinating connections between our foods and the body parts they benefit from.
The visual and nutritional similarities between types of foods and what they heal within our bodies have captured the attention of health experts for years! Nature provides clues in the design of certain foods. This phenomenon, sometimes called the doctrine of signatures, suggests that many foods resemble the body parts that they nourish and heal.
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
1. Walnuts for the Brain
Food-Body Connection: When you crack open a walnut, you’ll notice it looks a lot like the brain, complete with wrinkles and two hemispheres.
Nutritional Similarity: Walnuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain health. These healthy fats reduce inflammation, improve cognitive function, and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Health Benefits: Eating walnuts supports brain function, memory, and overall cognitive health, mirroring the organ they resemble.
2. Carrots for the Eyes
Food-Body Connection: Slice a carrot and you’ll notice it looks like an eye, complete with an iris and a pupil shape in the center.
Nutritional Similarity: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is vital for maintaining good vision and preventing eye diseases.
Health Benefits: Eating carrots can improve eye health, reduce the risk of cataracts, and support night vision.
3. Tomatoes for the Heart
Food-Body Connection: Cut a tomato in half, and the chambers inside resemble the structure of the heart. The vibrant red color is another clue, hinting at the fruit’s connection to cardiovascular health.
Nutritional Similarity: Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, an antioxidant known to support heart health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Health Benefits: Regular consumption of tomatoes is linked to improved heart health, reduced cholesterol levels, and lower risk of heart disease.
4. Ginger for the Stomach
Food-Body Connection: Ginger root, with its knobby appearance, is often compared to the stomach and digestive system.
Nutritional Similarity: Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea, indigestion, and stomach discomfort due to its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.
Health Benefits: Consuming ginger soothes the stomach, eases digestion, and helps with gastrointestinal distress, mirroring its resemblance to the stomach itself.
5. Avacados for the Uterus
Food-Body Connection: Avocados are shaped like a uterus, and interestingly, they take approximately nine months to grow from blossom to fruit — much like the human gestation period.
Nutritional Similarity: Avocados are high in folic acid, a nutrient essential for reproductive health and preventing birth defects during pregnancy.
Health Benefits: Avocados promote a healthy uterus, support reproductive health, and aid in fetal development.
6. Grapes for the Lungs
Food-Body Connection: Clusters of grapes resemble the alveoli in the lungs, the tiny sacs responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during breathing.
Nutritional Similarity: Grapes are rich in resveratrol and antioxidants that support respiratory health and protect lung tissues from damage.
Health Benefits: Consuming grapes can reduce the risk of asthma, help clear toxins from the lungs, and improve respiratory function.
7. Sweet Potatoes for the Pancreas
Food-Body Connection: The shape of a sweet potato resembles the pancreas, a vital organ responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
Nutritional Similarity: Sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta-carotene and fiber, helping regulate glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance.
Health Benefits: Sweet potatoes can aid in managing diabetes, supporting the pancreas, and stabilizing blood sugar.
8. Celery for the Bones
Food-Body Connection: Long, slender stalks of celery closely resemble bones, and intriguingly, they contain sodium — similar to the mineral composition of bones.
Nutritional Similarity: Celery is high in silicon, a mineral that supports bone health and strength.
Health Benefits: Consuming celery helps to maintain bone density and prevent conditions like osteoporosis.
9. Mushrooms for the Ears
Food-Body Connection: When sliced in half, mushrooms bear a resemblance to the ear, particularly the cochlea — a spiral-shaped part of the inner ear.
Nutritional Similarity: Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, a nutrient crucial for bone and ear health, including protecting against hearing loss.
Health Benefits: Eating mushrooms supports ear health and improves hearing by boosting bone strength and preventing ear-related conditions.
10. Kidney Beans for the Kidneys
Food-Body Connection: As the name suggests, kidney beans are shaped like kidneys, and they play an important role in supporting kidney health.
Nutritional Similarity: Kidney beans are high in fiber, iron, and magnesium, all of which contribute to healthy kidney function.
Health Benefits: Eating kidney beans helps detoxify the kidneys, lower the risk of kidney disease, and regulate waste elimination.
Unlocking the Power of Nature’s Design
The visual connections between foods and body parts offer more than just a fascinating observation — they reveal nature’s design for health and healing. By incorporating these foods into your diet, you can harness the natural benefits they provide for organ-specific health.
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!
