Did you know?

Published September 24, 2016

Human hair is virtually indestructible

Aside from its flammability, human hair decays at such a slow rate that it is practically non-disintegrative. Hair cannot be destroyed by cold, change of climate, water or other natural forces, and it is resistant to many kinds of acids and corrosive chemicals.


Eating can make you sweaty

When you eat, your metabolism naturally increases. This boosts your body temperature and causes you to sweat in order to cool down. Interestingly, foods like hot peppers, which contain capsaicin, are known to boost metabolism thus making you sweat and feel hot.


Sweat doesn’t smell bad

A stinky ‘body odour’ is caused when the skin bacteria feed on sweat. Their waste products are what smell bad! Sweating is good for you. Sweat can actually help the body to detox heavy metals as well as fight infection and illness. So, if you aren’t getting your daily sweat on, now is a great time to start a workout!


Hair sponge?

Hair can be useful in interesting ways. It can be used as a natural sponge, and it was used during the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill in the San Francisco Bay to absorb oil from the water. And in the Victorian Era, hair was used as jewellery! People had brooches, pendants and watch fobs made from the hair of lost loved ones as a stylish way of paying homage.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 24th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...