7 Shocking Things We Had No Idea the Male Body Could Do

Most of the differences between men and women are more than obvious and are known by pretty much everyone. You don’t need us to tell you that women have more fat than men because they need it. But when it comes to the lesser-known facts, you can count on us to get our facts straight and to let you in on it.

Bright Side did some research and wants to present 7 of the most unbelievable characteristics of the male body we had no idea about.

1. Men can lactate.

The only male species that can lactate spontaneously and breastfeed its offspring is the dayak fruit bat. In human males, the breasts are formed exactly like women’s, with cavities containing milk-secreting cells. Even a non-pregnant woman has double the amount of prolactin in her body, which is needed to create milk. However, the levels of this hormone can also increase in men for various reasons, therefore allowing them to produce milk.

2. Their hearts are different.

Researchers have found that the male heart’s surface area is typically larger than women’s, no matter the overall body size. Also, the chambers of a man’s heart are bigger, while a woman’s heart veins are finer. But it’s not only the size that differs — women’s hearts pump faster than men’s, but male hearts pump more blood, even with a slower rate.

Additionally, men’s hearts react differently to stress than women’s. Their arteries constrict when facing a stressful situation, and therefore, their blood pressure increases. On the other hand, women’s pulses rise and more blood gets pumped to their bodies.

3. They age slower than women.

If we exclude nutrition, lifestyle, and genetics, there are various reasons why aging is different for men than for women. For one, women experience massive changes during and after menopause, while men experience similar changes but way more gradually. Also, men don’t see big changes in their testosterone levels, which is their primary hormone. On the other hand, women’s primary hormone levels, which consist of estrogen, decrease a lot after 50.

And because of their high testosterone, they tend to have 25% thicker skin than women. Therefore, they produce more collagen and elastin, 2 components that make them look younger with smoother skin.

4. Their beards contain up to 15,000 follicles.

It’s true that men’s beards contain between 7,000 and 15,000 follicles, something that is genetically predefined. No new follicles are formed after someone’s birth, which means that they are already created when inside the womb. Also, men’s facial hair is 50%-60% larger in diameter than women’s leg hair, and it grows more irregularly. And because this hair is so tough, men are advised to be very careful before, during, and after shaving, having to use the correct products.

5. Their bones are much stronger than women’s.

Men are indeed born with a bigger and stronger bone structure than women, and that can be obvious from a very early age. Women may have stronger pelvises due to their ability to give birth, but they are also more prone to bone disease, such as osteoporosis. Additionally, while men grow up, their testosterone levels increase and help their bones become stronger. On the other hand, women’s rise in estrogen levels reduces their bone growth.

6. They snore more often than women.

Research shows that 4 out of 10 men snore, while 3 out of 10 women have that same habit. There are many reasons why snoring happens, and many of them have to do with our lifestyle and the way we sleep. However, men have different neck and throat structures than women, making them better candidates for snoring.

Also, sleep apnea is a big factor when it comes to snoring, and men seem to report this side effect more often than women. Now, this doesn’t mean that women don’t suffer from it, but they simply don’t have as many lasting effects of sleep apnea.

7. Their taste buds are not as sensitive as women’s.

Sensory panels in the UK are traditionally dominated by women members, and the reason is simple. Women have more sensitive taste buds than men, since their olfactory bulb has 43% more cells than men’s. Not only that, but men are more likely to be color-blind, with 1 out of 10 men suffering from some sort of color blindness.

Even a study from Yale University found that 35% of women are super tasters, while for men, the percentage is only 15%. But it’s not only due to genetics, as it’s also thanks to the fact that women focus a lot better than men on smells when they want to.

Are you amazed that the male body can lactate under specific circumstances? Wouldn’t it be great if both genders could breastfeed?