13 Strange Body Quirks Explained

Amy Taylor April 29, 2013

Why does onion make you cry? Why do you sweat excessively even though it’s freezing cold outside? Why do you cry in the verge of laughter? There are certain things that happen in our body that we don’t understand. But no matter how odd they appear to be, they happen so naturally. Here are some of the oddest body quirks and the reasons behind them:

1. Goose bumps

Here your friend goes again – telling you some spine-chilling stories. And while you visualise those creepy creatures, you realise you’re having goose bumps! But why on earth are you having those? Scientifically known as piloerection, goose bumps occur when you feel cold or afraid. Believe it or not, it is a survival mechanism that evolved thousands of years ago. Back then, humans still had a natural “fur coat” which helped them trap heat when it’s cold. Also, standing your hair on end appeared very intimidating to predators or enemies. Good thing, humans nowadays have less hair so goose bumps are rarely visible. But if you don’t like others noticing this natural physiological reaction of yours, dress warmly and avoid listening to horror stories.

2. Tears over onions

You’re preparing a great dish (it’s your specialty) but all of sudden, you find yourself crying in vain. Oh no – onions made you cry again! What’s the truth behind this mystery? Well, when you cut an onion, it cells rupture and release enzymes that produce a natural gas called propanethial sulfoxide. Once the gas reaches your eyes, it reacts with tears to produce mild sulphuric acid which causes you to shed more tears. According to Irwin Goldman, a horticultural professor at the University of Wisconsin, the chemical reaction of onion is a defence mechanism that evolved to repel pests.

3. Pins and needles

Have you ever experienced that dull feeling in your arms or legs as if they had fallen into sleep? This is usually followed with a tingling or burning sensation. This is something you should not be worried about. Medically known as paresthesia, ‘pins and needles’ is a normal reaction of your body in response to a constant pressure on nerves. The pressure blocks the nerves from transmitting signals to the brain. As a result, the affected area feels numb.

4. Halos around lights

Almost everyone sees the same rings every time they gaze at extreme lights. Also called spherical aberration, this phenomenon is a proof that the human eyes are not perfect. In daylight, the pupil narrows to a very small opening to allow light to hit the centre of the eyes. At night, the pupils dilate to allow maximum light to enter. But the farther the lens goes out, the less perfect the optics becomes. And as your vision gets off the centre, the light rays won’t be focused to the centre of the eye, so you see circles well because your lens is round. However, if this is the first time you see those circles, you may need to see an ophthalmologist. It might be a symptom of cataract.

5. Cold feet and hands

The sun is out but you feel freezing cold. What’s the matter? There are several possible reasons for this. First is poor circulation. When the blood does not properly circulate, the extremities may be deprived of heat. Iron plays a significant role in this process. That’s why people with anaemia often feel cold. Having an underactive thyroid could be another reason. This condition negatively affects the patient’s metabolism which in turn prevents the body from generating sufficient amount of heat. Exercising, eating iron-rich foods like lean red meats, fruits and vegetables, and seeing a doctor for a regular thyroid check are the best ways to keep your body temperature at its best.

6. Popping joints

You may wonder – is it bad to pop and crack your joints? In some parts of your body, such as your knuckles and your shoulders in which two bones come together in a capsule, popping or cracking could occur normally. Within each capsule is a lubricant called synovial fluid that contains dissolved gases. Whenever you stretch, your joints inside the capsule become compressed, allowing the nitrogen-rich gases to escape the synovial solution. Once the gas is released, your joint becomes more flexible.

7. Eyelid twitching

This annoying (and sometimes embarrassing) condition is known as eyelid myokymia. It results from spontaneous and uncontrolled spasms of the muscles that move the eyelid. There’s not enough scientific studies that tackle the nature of eyelid twitching but experts say there are varying factors that may trigger it, including stress, fatigue, and too much caffeine consumption. Once your eyelid starts to twitch, you can’t do anything about it but to wait until the twitching is over. This condition probably signals you that your body needs enough rest. So, chill.

8. Teary eyed when laughing

Laughing with tears might really sound so ironic but it happens and it’s normal! Although scientists are still unsure why it happens, what they know is that laughing and crying are two similar psychological reactions which both occur during the state of emotional arousal. And although crying is often associated with sadness, it is a complex mechanism that is triggered by a variety of factors, such as sadness, pain, and extreme mirth!

9. Side Stitches

If you laugh until you cried, your tummy will probably ache as well. Side stitches, which are caused by the exertion of the diaphragm, usually take place after running or laughing for a long period of time. When you laugh so hard, a lot of air enters your lungs and pushes down your diaphragm while your abdominal muscles are pushing it up. This repeated compression produces muscle spasm that creates a stitch.

10. Cheese and gum for oral health

Your dentist wouldn’t advise you to eat candies but gum. Why? Chewing stimulates salivary flow which preserves oral health by rinsing the teeth, diluting acid and dislodging food. What about cheese? Fats contained in cheese serve as a protective barrier for the teeth. This dairy product also contains considerable amount of calcium and phosphate – two important nutrients that strengthen teeth and prevent decay.

11. Cankles

Is cankle something you should be worried about? No it’s not. In fact, it may even be beneficial for your health. Cankles refer to a pair of legs that have no defined shape in the ankle area because the calf appears to have merged with the foot. The positive effects of having cankles could be attributed to the distribution of fats. Fats stored in the abdominal region are considered harmful to health as they are linked to metabolic disorders.

12. Growing ears

Do your ears keep growing? Fortunately, it is something you shouldn’t be worried about. According to the Britain’s Royal College of General Practitioners, the outer ears grow rapidly from birth until about the age of 10. Then, it slows down to the languid pace of about 0.22 millimetres per year. So even if you’re in your 30s or 40s already, don’t be surprised to see that your ears have grown bigger. It’s natural.

13. Freckles

Just because you were born without freckles doesn’t mean you will never develop any as you age. Children with fair complexions are more likely to develop freckles the moment they start going out and exposing their skin to direct sunlight. This does not only promote the formation of freckles but also increases the risk of melanoma or skin cancer later in life.

The human body can really be mysterious at times. But just like all other biological processes, even the oddest body quirks have their own explanations. So the next time any of these happen to you, you won’t be surprised. Share this to your friends and family so they too will know!