Some things in life seem disgusting, off-putting, or just plain weird—but surprisingly, many of these gross things actually benefit your health. Before you wrinkle your nose or say “no way,” consider this: your body (and even certain foods) has evolved bizarre, sometimes cringe-worthy methods of keeping you healthy. Here’s a list of 18 things that are a bit gross but secretly great for your well-being.
1. Sweating
Yes, sweat can be smelly and unpleasant, especially after a spicy dinner. But sweating is essential—it cools you down and flushes out toxins through your pores, helping regulate your body temperature.
2. Vomiting
Nobody enjoys it, yet vomiting is your body’s desperate attempt to remove something harmful. Ever wondered why food poisoning ends with feeling better after throwing up? Your stomach is simply taking care of business.
3. Leeches
Leeches aren’t just for medieval horror stories. Today, medical leeches are used in modern hospitals to restore circulation after reconstructive surgeries. Their saliva contains anticoagulants that encourage blood flow—odd but effective!
4. Maggots
Seeing maggots usually signals something rotten. But medical-grade maggots clean infected wounds by eating dead, infected tissue without harming healthy flesh. They’ve saved countless limbs from amputation.
5. Earwax
Earwax seems embarrassing, but it’s your body’s clever way of protecting your ears. It traps dust, bacteria, and other harmful particles, stopping them from damaging your eardrums.
6. Microscopic Skin Mites
Tiny mites called Demodex live on your skin—right now! Although creepy, they actually remove dead skin cells, preventing harmful bacteria from causing infections or acne flare-ups.
7. Blood Soup (Czernina)
In Poland, duck blood soup, known as czernina, is a delicacy packed with iron and protein. If you’re brave enough, your iron levels will thank you.
8. Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil smells and tastes fishy, but its health perks are enormous: high vitamin D, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids make it worth tolerating.
9. Mucus
Gross as it feels, mucus traps germs and expels them from your body when you’re sick. That runny nose actually speeds recovery by flushing out invaders.
10. Eye Crust
Those gritty bits around your eyes in the morning are dried tears and debris cleared from your eyes while you sleep—gross, yet proof that your eyes cleanse themselves overnight.
11. Black Pudding
Popular in Ireland and Scotland, black pudding—blood sausage—is nutrient-dense, loaded with iron and protein. It’s not pretty, but your body appreciates it.
12. Cow Brains
Brains on toast? It sounds straight out of a horror film, but cow brains are rich in vitamins B12, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids, supporting brain health ironically well.
13. Fecal Transplants
Arguably the grossest of the bunch, fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) involve transplanting healthy bacteria from one person’s stool to another’s gut, dramatically improving gut health and curing severe infections like C. diff.
14. Edible Insects (Grasshoppers, Crickets)
Eating insects is rising in popularity. Grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars offer protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Crunchy, nutritious, and eco-friendly—if you can get past the idea.
15. Vaginal Discharge
Though rarely discussed openly, discharge protects women from infections by expelling harmful bacteria and maintaining healthy pH levels. It’s nature’s built-in cleanser.
16. Fish Ice Cream and Animal Fat Desserts
Inuits consume treats made from fish and moose fat, paired with berries. It sounds revolting but is full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, critical for cardiovascular and brain health.
17. Brains (Cow or Sheep)
Eating brains might sound extreme, but brains contain abundant nutrients, especially vitamin B12, vitamin C, niacin, and essential minerals—beneficial, if you can get past the thought!
17. Blisters
Blisters are tempting to pop but resist that urge. These fluid-filled sacs form to protect the skin underneath from friction and infection. Your feet know exactly what they’re doing.
18. Mucus (Yes, Snot)
It’s the unsung hero of bodily fluids, protecting your respiratory system by trapping dirt and pathogens. While unpleasant, mucus is a critical defense mechanism keeping you healthy.
Bottom line: Sometimes the body’s natural defense systems (or traditional food practices) might seem odd, disgusting, or downright uncomfortable. But embracing—or at least respecting—these unusual elements of human biology and diet could genuinely improve your health. So next time something grosses you out, pause and consider: is it really that bad, or has nature provided you with yet another unusual, yet effective, health benefit?