Have you ever heard of such a saying: the larger a man’s Adam’s apple, the stronger his male ability.
Now there is another saying that the size of the Adam’s apple is linked to longevity.
So, is there really a difference in the size of men’s Adam’s apples? Is it true as these sayings suggest?
1. Can you tell how long a man can live by looking at his Adam’s apple?
The Adam’s apple, medically known as the thyroid cartilage, is an important bone in the throat. It supports the structure of the throat, protects the entrances of the trachea and esophagus, and plays a key role in speaking and singing.
The size of the Adam’s apple varies from person to person, influenced by many factors.
The major influencing factor is the hormonal changes during puberty. The Adam’s apple in males is usually more prominent than in females, which is related to the increase in testosterone levels in adolescent males, leading to the enlargement of the Adam’s apple and vocal cords, resulting in a lower voice.
Women also have Adam’s apples, but the secretion of male hormones in their bodies is less, making it appear smaller and less prominent. The angle of a man’s Adam’s apple is approximately 90 degrees, while a woman’s is flatter, around 120 degrees.
From a genetic perspective, the size of the Adam’s apple is influenced by family genetics. If older generations in the family have larger Adam’s apples, younger generations are likely to have slightly larger ones as well.
In simple terms, the size of the Adam’s apple is mainly determined by physiological factors and is not directly related to health or longevity.
Many people believe that the Adam’s apple is a symbol of male charm, with a larger Adam’s apple indicating stronger male abilities.
In fact, not all men have prominent Adam’s apples, and the size of the Adam’s apple cannot be used as a reliable standard for measuring male characteristics.
Dr. Yang Yucheng of Beijing Century Temple Hospital pointed out that in recent years, most scholars no longer consider the Adam’s apple as a reference indicator for male secondary sexual characteristics.
A swollen Adam’s apple is not better either. Dr. Yuan Xiandao from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to the Capital Medical University stated that a swollen Adam’s apple may not only be related to thyroid enlargement but may also be a sign of a tumor, which requires vigilance.
2. People with long lives usually have these 4 features on their faces
According to traditional Chinese medicine, a person’s internal organ health can be seen from the external appearance, especially on the face. It is well known that good health is a crucial step towards longevity. If you want to know if your body is in good condition, you can look at these four areas on your face:
1. Radiant skin
The skin shows a healthy rosy complexion, without obvious jaundice or paleness, indicating good blood circulation and sufficient oxygen supply in the blood.
2. Glossy hair
Healthy hair looks smooth and shiny, naturally reflecting light. If you do not frequently perm, dye, or stay up late but your hair still appears dull, it is advisable to have a medical check-up to see if there are any thyroid function problems.
3. Bright eyes
The eyes have a natural gleam, without bloodshot eyes or yellow spots. This indicates healthy eyes, no excessive fatigue or infection problems, and is also an indicator of normal liver function.
4. Oral health
Clean teeth, healthy gum color, no bleeding or swelling, indicate good oral hygiene and no oral problems like periodontal disease.
3. People who can live to the age of 90 usually stop doing these things around 50 years old
Physical health is often closely linked to daily habits, especially as one gets older, the impact of these habits becomes more significant. Once past 50 years old, some bad habits can make you age faster, so it’s time to make some changes.
1. Avoid getting up too quickly
During sleep, the brain and body are in a rest state, metabolism slows down, and heart rate and blood pressure decrease.
This “sleep inertia” persists for a short while upon waking. If you jump out of bed immediately, it can cause temporary cerebral ischemia, leading to dizziness, and even increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.
For the elderly, due to reduced elasticity of intervertebral discs, getting up too quickly can not only easily strain the lower back but also affect the nervous system.
Therefore, after waking up in the morning, it’s best to lie in bed for a while, allowing the body to gradually adjust before getting up slowly to avoid unnecessary stress on the body from sudden movements.
2. Stop smoking
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, smoking can shorten a person’s lifespan.
However, the good news is that quitting smoking at any time can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, and other diseases. The earlier you quit smoking, the closer your risk of death will be to that of non-smokers.
In reality, people who quit smoking on average live about 12 years longer than those who continue to smoke. It is clear that quitting smoking is never too late to start.
3. Avoid prolonged sitting
If you sit continuously for more than 3 hours without getting up to move around, it is considered prolonged sitting, and this habit can rapidly increase the risk of heart attacks.
Not walking or exercising for a long time can reduce blood circulation in the legs, possibly leading to the formation of blood clots. If they break off during daily activities, they can easily travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which is very dangerous and potentially fatal.
Prolonged sitting can also make the blood more viscous, which deprives the heart and brain of adequate blood supply, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Longevity is not determined by the size of the Adam’s apple, but primarily by a healthy lifestyle.
References:
[1] “People over 50 enter the health ‘critical period’! Grab these 5 bad habits”. Health Times. 2023-03-21
[2] “Why shouldn’t boys touch their Adam’s apples casually?” Eleventh Clinic. 2024-04-23
[3] “Thought Adam’s apple swelling was ‘excessive internal heat’, almost made a big mistake!” Baiyun Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. 2023-12-08
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