11 Embarrassing Bodily Functions That are Actually Signs of Good Health

Our bodies can do a lot of things that can embarrass us from time to time. You might be surprised to learn that those bodily functions that are so mortifying are actually signs that we have healthy bodies.

Burping

Many people believe burping is a clear sign that we have been eating or drinking excessively, but it is the natural response to air being ingested while we eat. Burping helps our stomach’s digestive system by preventing excess gas. It’s especially beneficial for infants, who need to be burped regularly to prevent discomfort and bloating, which can lead to them spitting up.

Yawning

Yawning while someone else is talking to you is a hugely embarrassing event that can be taken as disrespectful. However, neuroscientists believe that letting out a big yawn can stimulate neural movement and regulates the brain’s temperature and metabolism.

Blushing

Nobody likes that sudden realization that your cheeks have turned red after something embarrassing. However, researchers have found that that sudden redness can actually be a good thing. Studies show that people prefer others after seeing them blush, and also tend to trust them more.

Producing Earwax

You may be embarrassed if someone notices earwax in your ears or on your earphones, but it’s actually a sign of good health. Your body produces earwax for a reason: to protect your ear canals from bacteria and germs and to provide lubrication. Although it’s possible to still accumulate an unhealthy buildup in some cases, your ear canals are self-cleaning and will often get rid of excess earwax on their own.

Sweating

Excessive sweating can be a sign that we are overweight or overheated, but typically it is a sign of a strong heart. Particularly during exercise, sweating enhances cardiovascular function and burns calories. Additionally, it acts to cool the body down and cleanse it of dead cells.

Defecating

Typically a taboo topic, our feces can tell us a great deal about our health. Regular bowel movements are a strong indicator of good health, particularly when it has a consistent shape and size. Solid stool is also a sign of proper hydration and that our diet doesn’t contain too many oily foods.

Flatulence

Farting can be mortifying but it’s really just a sign of a healthy stomach gobbling up nutrients. Stomach microbes consume undigested foods like fiber and carbohydrates, converting them to nutrients, producing gas as a byproduct. Excessive flatulence could be a sign of an unhealthy diet, but we can expect to release gas 18 times a day and be perfectly healthy.

Stomach Growling

We associate a growling stomach with an upset or hungry stomach, but it’s actually the byproduct of a healthy digestive tract. Once food is inside our stomach it is mixed with digestive juices and the gastrointestinal wall contracts to push it all through the intestines. After several hours without food the stomach noises do intensify since nothing is left to push through, so it is important for us to consider if we are truly hungry or just digesting properly.

Sneezing

Sneezing constantly can be a sign of allergies or a cold, but regular sneezes throughout the day are quite healthy and shouldn’t be held in. The nose traps unwanted particles we breath in and a sneeze expels them after they have built up in the nasal cavity. Without regular sneezes these bad particles would be trapped in our nose and eventually filter themselves into our body, so it’s a much better idea to just grab a Kleenex rather than trying to hold a sneeze in.

Sexual Stimulation

It can be a bit awkward to be turned on, especially for men, but it is scientifically proven that healthier people have a greater sex drive. A proper diet that provides our body with sufficient vitamins and nutrients will increase blood flow throughout our body, especially to our sex organs. Being fit and a proper weight also increases our blood flow, in addition to improving self-esteem.

Crying

Tears are often perceived as a sign of somebody who is sad or weak, but they are essential in protecting our eyes. Reflex tears wash our eyes of irritants and bacteria that could otherwise fester and potentially leave us blind. Studies also find that crying reducing stress and relives our bodies of chemicals that make us feel bad, helping reduce the chemical imbalance that leaves us stressed and unhappy.

Mucus

Mucus in your nose actually traps bacteria, dust, and pollen before they reach your lungs. It also helps keep your airways moist. However, too much mucus, or a stuffy nose, is a sign that you might be getting sick.

Pus

While pus probably grosses most people out, it actually serves some good.  Pus is a defense mechanism our bodies use to flush out harmful infections and bacteria.

Blisters

If you have ever popped a blister and noticed it was filled with a water-like substance, you have one healthy body! Water blisters are a natural band-aid, protecting the injured area from infection. But, try not to pop blisters. Allow them to heal on their own.