In Southeast Asia there’s a tribe who can swim underwater for 8 whole hours. And it turns out, there are societies all over the world filled with people possessing other real-life superpowers! Want to know more? Join me as we journey across the globe to meet some truly incredible people with superhuman abilities.
Bajau Tribe Have Developed Mutant Gene To Swim Underwater 8 Hours A Day
Ever wanted to breathe underwater? If you sail across the shimmering seas of Southeast Asia you might come across a remarkable group of people that are the closest we’ve got to human-fish: the Bajau. These semi-nomadic communities live on the waters of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. They live on boats or in houses on stilts, and instead of visiting supermarkets for food, they dive into the ocean to hunt.
Amazingly, the daring divers can reach dizzying depths of nearly 230 feet, all without using any scuba gear! In fact, some of the tribe tie weights around their waists to help them dive faster. While down there, they use spears to catch fish, and can dive repeatedly for up to eight hours a day. This is made possible by the astonishing time they can hold their breath for up to 13 minutes, according to National Geographic. Considering most people can only hold their breath for 90 seconds max, that’s pretty darn impressive.
The Bajau people have lived this traditional lifestyle for 1,000 years, but how is it possible? Researchers have found they possess a special gene, known by the catchy name PDE10A. This gene means they have a spleen that’s 50% larger than average, which is game changing if you want to hold your breath for longer. The spleen stores oxygenated blood. The bigger your spleen, the more oxygenated blood you can store, and the longer you can survive without taking a breath. There’s simply more oxygen in your body than someone with a smaller spleen. So how did the Bajau end up with this gene? We can’t be entirely sure, but natural selection is most likely. Over many generations, those with a greater lung capacity did better in the seafaring society than those without, and passed their genes to their kin. Genetics aren’t the only thing at play though. Clearly, living in a community where you’re expected to dive for up to 60% of the day, you’d learn some nifty techniques to help you out. Indeed, professional divers use a technique called lung packing, where they use their tongues like a pump to push down additional air before making the dive. This can add over 5 pints on top of what the lungs usually hold, and the Bajau undoubtedly use similar techniques.
Yet, their unique way of life is under threat. Sadly, climate change and pollution are taking their toll on the marine life that the Bajau depend on. If we don’t act quickly, their traditional lifestyle might become impossible.
The Sherpas: Adapted To High Altitudes
The Himalayan mountains are among the most spectacular and hostile environments on the planet. However, due to lower oxygen levels and air pressure, most of us experience debilitating altitude sickness when we reach heights above 8,000 feet.
But for one group of people, trekking the Himalayan slopes is like a walk in the park.
The Sherpas are an ethnic group who’ve lived at astonishing altitudes of over 14,700 feet for at least 6,000 years! In that time, they’ve adapted shockingly well to living in such a harsh landscape.
While Sherpas' and lowlanders' bodies work practically the same at low altitudes, the differences in physiological response become very apparent at higher elevations. When the average person climbs, a hormone called erythropoietin triggers the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to muscles. This is important because without enough oxygen, our muscles cramp and stop functioning. The problem is, these extra cells thicken the blood, which puts additional stress on the heart and can cause altitude sickness.
Sherpas, on the other hand, experience a much lower increase in red blood cells, so their blood doesn’t thicken as much, reducing the strain on their hearts. But hold on, if they’re not getting as many red blood cells, how do they not just collapse? Well, that’s thanks to another adaptation.
In all our muscles there are cells containing mitochondria, which are the things that produce energy. Well, clever clogs at the University of Cambridge discovered that Sherpas' mitochondria are more efficient than ours at converting oxygen to energy. So,
Sherpas can withstand lower levels of oxygen in their blood. If that weren’t impressive enough, scientists believe that the Sherpas' unique genes may hold the key to helping people suffering from hypoxia, a potentially life-threatening condition arising from low levels of oxygen in body tissues. One day, drugs could be developed to make those patients’ bodies mimic those of the Sherpas. So these guys might be great at overcoming medical mountains too!
Rarámuri Tarahumara Runners
There is one group of people who excel at running. Up high in the mountains of Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico live the Rarámuri, also known by the Spanish name Tarahumara.
Having lived at altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 8,000 feet since 1700 AD, like the Sherpas they’ve adapted remarkably well to low oxygen levels. They also have to deal with super rugged terrain filled with hills, deserts, and gorges. Despite this, their favorite pastime is running! From a young age, children run punishing distances of over 30 miles to help build their stamina.
Competitions like races are common, as well as the ball game palillo, which is similar to lacrosse but with the intensity of rugby, and can last several days across hundreds of miles. One researcher in 1902 observed
a man carry 110 lbs over 100 miles in 70 hours, fueled by nothing but a thin drink made from corn. So, what’s behind these people’s amazing abilities? Genetically, the Rarámuri have developed higher hemoglobin concentrations, which allows them to carry more oxygen in their blood. However, their lifestyle plays a big role too. For one, all that exercise! Everyone knows that the fitter you are, the more you can exercise without tiring, and the Rarámuri start endurance training super young. Fortunately, they have a great diet to supplement it. It’s predominantly vegetarian, rich in carbohydrates and plant proteins, and has little fat and cholesterol.
On top of this, Rarámuri tend to run barefoot or with thin sandals. This increases something we call “elastic energy”. Basically, when your foot strikes the ground, the force of the impact is converted to energy that’s momentarily stored in your tendons and muscles. Then, when you push off, this stored energy is released and helps propel you forward.
Inuit People: Surviving The Freezing Cold
Did you know that in the farthest corners of the Arctic, the coldest temperature ever recorded was -93.3 °F? If most of us were exposed to that, our cells would instantly freeze and perish. Yet, despite these extreme conditions, the Inuit somehow call this icy tundra home.
One reason they can handle such crazily cold climates is because they produce more body heat. Yes, nearly all Inuit have a gene variation that means they build up more brown fat than we do. You probably haven’t heard of brown fat before. Unlike normal white fat, which merely stores calories, brown fat burns energy to generate heat, keeping Inuit nice and toasty even in the freezing cold. Interestingly, this same gene can be linked to the Denisovans, an extinct relative of modern humans that lived across Asia 200,000 years ago. Modern humans interbred with Denisovans, which could explain how the Inuit ended up inheriting this unique gene. Before we get ahead of ourselves though, scientists didn’t even know this species existed until 2010 and have so far only sequenced one Denisovan genome, so the truth remains to be seen. That’s not the only incredible thing about the Inuit though. Food is scarce in the Arctic, only a few edible plants grow and, traditionally, Inuit don’t farm. Instead, they rely on fish and marine mammals rich in omega-3 fatty acids. But how do they stay healthy on such a fatty diet?
According to a study by the University of California, it’s due to how their bodies break down food.
Inuit metabolize fats slowly, which helps lower bad cholesterol and manage insulin levels, potentially protecting them from heart disease and diabetes.
Before you start downing bottles of fish oil though, you should know that while these genetic traits have been found in nearly 100% of Inuit, a recent study found that only 15% of Han Chinese and 2% of Europeans have them. So, you probably don’t. As a side effect, these adaptations also make Inuit people about half an inch shorter than Europeans, since fatty acids affect the hormone that controls height. Not that height matters when you’re as cool as these guys.
Strongmen Of Iceland
Norse myths tell of Thor, the god of thunder, whose fantastic strength was unmatched by any man, hero or monster. Nowhere in Scandinavia was Thor worshipped more than Iceland, and even today it’s clear how many Icelandic people aspire to be like him.
For a little country, Iceland’s made some very big people. In fact, it holds the world record for the most World's Strongest Man titles, with nine wins despite having a population of only about 380,000. Hafthor Björnsson, best known for playing Gregor 'the Mountain' Clegane in Game of Thrones, won the title for Iceland in 2018. So, what gives?
HAFTHOR "The Mountain" BJORNSSON sets world record in Elephant Bar Deadlift at 1,041 pounds by Arnold Sports Festival Going back to the country’s ancient days, enduring the harsh landscape meant that hardiness was essential and strength became deeply rooted in Icelandic culture and mythology. According to legend, in Húsafell during the 18th century, a priest used a huge 410lb boulder as a gate to their sheep pen. Today, strongman competitions have incorporated this feat, with competitors testing their strength by lifting the very same rock, named the
Húsafell stone.
Since toughness was so valued back in the day, it’s thought that women often married taller men, ultimately having taller kids, and it shows. Just compare the global average male height of 5 feet 7 inches to Iceland’s 5 feet 11 inches, allowing for more bulk on bigger frames. What these giants eat also plays a role. The traditional Icelandic diet is high in protein, featuring plenty of cheese, fish, meat, and, of course, yoghurt or skyr. And while training to be a strongman, it’s not unusual for people to eat a whopping 10,000 calories a day! However, the lifestyle comes with some serious health risks. You could easily injure yourself lifting such colossal weights, and having such a huge body can put a lot of strain on your heart. One of the most celebrated Icelandic strongmen was Jón Páll Sigmarsson, known for his massive body and flamboyant personality.
Embed for https://x.com/WorldsStrongest/status/1451603172967915528 could not be displayed
Yet, the strongman tragically died of a heart attack in 1993, aged just 32, while deadlifting. It seems that even gods aren’t immortal.
Da Silva Six-Fingered Family
Meet the De Silva family from Brasília, where all 14 of the clan have six fingers and six toes! his wild trait has been present in the family for four generations, and all of their extra digits are fully functional, which they say makes them more skilled at certain tasks.
Grandchild Maria can play more keys on the piano, and teenager Joao Assis says his wider hands give him an edge as a soccer goalie. But what’s behind this handsy inheritance? The family has polydactyly, a condition where someone is born with extra fingers or toes. When a baby is developing in the womb, its hand first forms in the shape of a flipper and then divides into five parts, which become fingers. If this process happens for longer than usual however, one of the fingers will divide again, and form an extra one. Usually, this additional appendage is abnormally developed, but in the case of the De Silvas, it’s perfectly fine! Around 1 in 500 people are born with an extra finger, but most parents have them surgically removed. Because of this, there isn’t much evidence into what it’s like for people who live with polydactyly. The De Silvas see their unique genetics as a blessing though, and prove that it can be incredibly beneficial. Maybe being all fingers and thumbs isn’t so bad after all!
The family with six fingers - Countdown To Life: The Extraordinary Making Of You: Episode 1 - BBC by BBC
Cullatori Shoulder Lumps
Let's go on an expedition to Nola in Naples, Italy, for the Festa dei Gigli, or Festival of Lilies. This week-long festival takes place in June and honors the life of the local Saint Paulinus, who saved the city from invading Visigoths back in 410 AD. To commemorate this event, parades of men heave around eight gigantic wooden obelisks called Gigli, each one laden with musicians and revelers.
Festa dei gigli 2013 Entrata piazza ortolano by luigi ceparano These structures can measure over 80 ft tall, have a cubic base of 10 ft per side, and weigh nearly 3 tons. In other words, they’re damn heavy. The men who carry them are known as the
cullatori, or cradlers, and they march the Gigli through the crowded streets of Nola all day long, not stopping until they reach the city center. But what’s all this got to do with shoulder bunions? The strain of carrying these structures year after year causes the cullatori to develop whopping big calluses on their shoulders and necks. While many of us would dread having such wobbly growths, these men show off their deformities as symbols of their sacrifice and faith.
The growths themselves may not scream “superhuman”, but the incredible feats of strength that caused them definitely do. A similar condition happens to Japanese mikoshi carriers. For Shinto festivals, these super tough people lug around shrines called mikoshi that can weigh up to 4 tons. Decades of this and they develop bulbous humps on their shoulders. Fortunately, the calluses are harmless and really just a hyper-exaggerated version of what you or I might get on our feet after a long day. Only thing is, my bunions don’t quite earn me the same level of respect.
London Taxi Driver Brains
I’m always getting lost, even in my own home! So I couldn’t imagine living in London because it’s a higgledy-piggledy mess of streets and alleys built on top of each other. Even with maps, trying to find your way is a nightmare! But there’s one group of superhuman Londoners who weave through the metropolis like a breeze and don’t even bother with satnav: cab drivers.
These guys have the map of central London imprinted in their brains, and I’m not speaking metaphorically. To become a licensed London taxi driver, hopefuls must undergo an intense regimen known only as “the Knowledge”. Training takes around three to four years, during which they must memorize and navigate every street from A to Z. Even after completing this, the exams are notoriously brutal, with only 30% of candidates passing. But those 30% are elite. A five-year study from University College London revealed that due to their rigorous memory training,
taxi drivers have larger brains than the average person, or at least, a larger part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. Amazingly, the more you use your hippocampus, the bigger it gets, and the better your memory.
So, the neurons in London cabbies’ hippocampi grow over the years until they can store a complex internal map of the city. I guess learning London’s roads is like trying to put your seat belt on in the dark; it seems impossible but eventually something clicks.
Okinawa, The Island Of Longevity
Health is important! Let’s face it, we’re not going to live forever. Unless that is, you’re from the Okinawa Prefecture, a group of islands south of mainland Japan. In 2020, the average man in Okinawa lived to 80, and woman 87. Compare that to the US average for the same year, 73 and 79, and it becomes much more impressive. Not only that, but Okinawa has 6 to 12 times fewer deaths due to heart disease, as well as significantly fewer cases of cancer and dementia.
In the northern part of the main island is the tiny village of Ogimi, home to around 3,000 people. In 2020, 171 of the villagers were in their 90s, whilst 15 were over 100! So what’s the Okinawa secret? Is it the fountain of youth? Black magic? It’s all about simplicity. Locals stay active well into old age, regularly take part in gardening, and maintain what’s called
a moai, a strong, secure network of friends and family.
How do Okinawans live longer than anyone else? | euronews 🇬🇧 by euronews Everyone knows the benefits of exercise, but countless studies have shown that strong social ties can drastically extend a person’s lifespan too, something Okinawans practice to great success. Plus, the islands are serene places, surrounded by natural beauty and far from the stresses of urban life. The oldest and most traditional Okinawans also follow a nutritious, mostly vegetarian diet, with a whopping 67% of their food intake being sweet potatoes and only 2% being meat and fish. Younger Okinawans don’t follow such a strict diet, and it’s starting to show. Despite remaining excellent, life expectancy has dropped since 1980, when men could expect to live to at least 84 and women 90. This is likely due to the influence of other nations, especially the US, on younger generations.
Twa: Pygmy Peoples
If you tried to navigate the dense forests of Central Africa, you’d probably struggle to get through the masses of tangled vines and bushes. For the indigenous Twa people on the other hand, this is no big deal, quite literally. That’s because their average height is just 5 foot!
Smaller statures are better at navigating through forests, since constantly ducking under branches burns precious calories. Smaller bodies also require less food, handy when you live in a rainforest largely devoid of it.
And the advantages of being short don’t stop there. In the hot, sunny climes of Central Africa, heatstroke is a very real risk, but shorter people generate less body heat, reducing that risk substantially. Being adept at forest life, the Twa are also avid tree climbers. Researchers have even found that their calf muscles have adapted to have unusually long fibers. This results in more flexible ankles, with the Twa able to bend their feet up to a stomach churning 45 degrees against their shins. For comparison, most people can only manage 15 to 20 degrees.
This added flexibility allows them to plant their feet flat against the trunk, hold their bodies close to the trees, and expend less energy while climbing. Don’t think this is all down to genetics though; researchers reckon this particular ability is only possible through rigorous training. Sadly though, the Twa’s way of life is endangered, with many being forced off the land they once called home to make way for agriculture or conservation. We're all for saving the gorillas, but does that really mean we have to put people’s lives at risk instead?
Khöömei Throat Singing
Throat singing, also known as Khöömei, is an incredible vocal technique where a singer emits two distinct yet harmonizing sounds at the same time. It’s been practiced for centuries throughout the Altai Mountains in Western Mongolia and dates back to the ancient Altai people, who used it as a way to worship and connect with nature.
The Mongolian traditional art of Khöömei by UNESCO
The technique is believed to have been inspired by the sounds of birds, who are central to shamanic traditions. Today, its teaching has developed and flourished in Mongolian culture where it’s taught from childhood, performed in concert halls, and celebrated in competitions. Traditionally, women were discouraged from performing khöömei as it was seen as taboo, but thankfully this is changing. These amazing singers perform khöömei for anything from weddings and lulling sleepy babies, to worshipping Shamanic spirits and Buddhist gods.You don't have to hail from the Altai mountains to sing like this either. There are no genetics at play, anyone from anywhere can learn the art, though make no mistake, it takes years of practice to become a khöömei master. Careful positioning and movement of the tongue, lips, and jaw as well as precise tightening of the throat muscles are all important factors. And even if you nail one khoomei style, there are a load of different ones to learn. That said, they can be grouped into two main techniques. First, there’s Isgeree Khöömei, where the singer emits a high-pitched whistle. Then there’s Kharkhiraa, known for its deep, growling sound and used to recite tales of epic myth.If you were amazed at these societies with real superpowers, you might want to read about people born with
crazy mutations. Thanks for reading!
