50 Facts About the Human Body You Probably Didn't Know

The human body is an amazing thing. It is capable of creating life, surviving horrible diseases and accidents, and tasting all kinds of good (and equally bad) food). But human bodies are also susceptible to great tragedies, from freak accidents to medical mysteries. Understanding your body and how it works is vital to not only surviving, but also to live longer.

So often when something goes wrong with our bodies, it can be traced back to our diets.

"Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle," the Health and Human Services website says. "Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health."

If you feel like you aren't healthy, it's never too late to change that.

"A person who is not very active can start by making small changes, such as replacing soft drinks with water and adding a 10-minute walk to a daily routine," Carly Schuna writes for Livestrong.org.

And understanding your body and the benefits of good health are vital for thriving communities as well. "Better health is central to human happiness and well-being," the World Health Organization's website reports. "It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more."

So how much do you know about your body? What you don't know will surprise you, like how 50 percent of your hand's strength lives in your little finger. Well, if you want to know about your body (and why wouldn't you?), we have you covered. Here are 50 facts about your body that you probably aren't aware of, but should be.