Science confirms what 10 minutes gazing at Chris Hemsworth's chiselled features will tell you – a person's face is the primary way that we judge attractiveness. Our eyes are trained to be drawn to the masculine features of strong cheekbones and square jaw lines in the male face. Along with Chris, one glance at Hugh Jackman or Henry Cavill and you'll see the same pattern of striking cheek and jawbones.
Henry Cavill: We judge attractiveness by a person's face, and facial development is closely linked to what we ate when we were growing up.
Turns out, we're not just being superficial. What's happening here is our evolutionary instinct judging the genes of facial features because they communicate good health. Why? Chris' well-defined cheek and jaw line means the bones of his face are properly developed. These bones also house many of the crucial structures that support our airways, like the nasal sinuses, palate, tongue and throat. When they're underdeveloped, airway issues like mouth breathing and sleep apnea can starve the body of oxygen, leading to chronic health problems. And that just wouldn't work for Thor.
The other features that these bones affect are the teeth. Yep, if you suffered through braces as a kid or had impacted wisdom teeth, this means you. People with well-formed facial bones provide enough space to have straight and strong smiles. Whilst this in itself is a feature we find attractive, it's closely related to appearance of the face. When a dentist sees crooked smiles and impacted wisdom teeth, they also see long, skinny faces with underdeveloped chin and jaws. All of these signs point to facial bones that don't support airways … and are probably why a good smile is seen as an attractive feature.
What's most interesting though is that the facial development is closely linked to what you ate when you were growing up. Bone growth occurs in response to muscular mechanical forces. Just like body builders who make strong, dense limbs to lift enormous weights, our shift from a naturally tough diet to soft processed foods prevents normal jaw and skull growth.
As in any other aspects of human growth and development, nutrition plays a role in the formation of teeth and bones. As these bones are developing they require a complex concentration of "bony matrix", which comprises of the minerals calcium and phosphorus, organic materials, water and fat. This is also mediated by the fat-soluble vitamins D, amongst others that allow mineral absorption from the blood stream.
People with classically well-developed facial features communicate their top genetic health via their magnificent faces and smiles. Whilst orthodontic braces and wisdom teeth surgeries patch up issues associated with poor facial growth, we may in fact be covering up more serious diet and health issues.
SO WHAT FOODS ARE GOOD FOR FACES?
Ones that make you chew, like 9 cups of vegetables a day. Then plenty of bone building elements from calcium rich sources like sardines, almond butter and kale. And sources like quality butter, lamb, and eggs.
Sources: Dr Steven Lin
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