Think you know the facts of life? Think again—10 stats that’ll shock you

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Ever read a stat and think, there’s no way that’s true? The world runs on numbers, and some statistics are so staggering they demand a second look. From the real scale of population growth over time to our unlikely kinship with bananas, these 10 facts will certainly challenge how you view modern life, the planet, and even time itself.

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You read that right! That’s the estimated mass of all the electrons moving through the internet at any given moment. It’s based on how many electrons are needed to transfer data in modern systems.

Each bit of data is made up of subatomic particles with mass. When you add up all global internet activity, it translates to roughly 50 grams—or the weight of a couple of larger-than-average strawberries.

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According to estimates from the Population Reference Bureau, about 117 billion humans have ever lived. That means nearly 93% of all people who’ve ever lived are no longer alive.

Our current 8.1 billion makes up a small slice of history’s total human population. It’s a reminder that most human experiences happened long before us—and modern life is the exception, not the rule.

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According to IBM, every two days, we create more data than from the dawn of civilization to 2003. By 2020, 90% of the world’s data had been created in just the prior two years.

That rate continues to accelerate thanks to smartphones, automated sensors, and social media. We’re now generating 328 million terabytes every day.

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Most of the world’s fresh water is locked in ice. The Antarctic ice sheet contains about 26.5 million cubic kilometers of water.

If it all melted, global sea levels would rise by over 200 feet, submerging many major coastal cities.

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Google’s infrastructure consumes massive energy to deliver instant results. In fact, a single Google search uses more computing power than the entire Apollo 11 mission.

To put it in perspective, the Apollo Guidance Computer ran at just 0.043 MHz, while today’s smartphones are over 100,000 times faster. So, next time you forget the recipe for apple pie, remember: you’re holding the power to reach the Moon in your pocket!

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It’s not as weird as it sounds. All living organisms share the same genetic building blocks, so some overlap is inevitable.

This shared 60% refers to common cellular functions encoded by similar genes. With chimps, for example, we share about 98.8%, but plants still overlap more than you'd expect.

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Through nuclear fusion, the Sun converts mass into energy, losing about 4 million tons every second. This sacrificial process powers the entire solar system.

Even at that rate, the Sun will continue burning for another 5 billion years, illustrating just how massive it is. It’s still crazy to think that all life on Earth is powered by a natural, open-air nuclear reactor.

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Bet this catches you off guard: NASA estimates there are around 100–400 billion stars in our galaxy. But, surprisingly, trees far outnumber them—Earth has over 3 trillion trees, according to a Yale study.

That’s roughly 422 trees for every person. Yet, deforestation continues at a staggering rate of 15 billion trees per year. Imagine how the night sky would look if 15 billion stars went missing every year.

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Despite covering over 70% of Earth’s surface, most of the ocean hasn’t been mapped or even explored.

The NOAA estimates we’ve only mapped about 25% of the seafloor in detail. In comparison, we’ve mapped the surface of Mars much more thoroughly.

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Genghis Khan is believed to have fathered hundreds of children, with estimates suggesting that around 1 in 200 men alive today carry his genetic legacy.

In fact, a genetic study revealed that nearly 0.5% of the world’s male population shares a Y chromosome that traces back to him. His empire, spanning much of Asia and Europe, was built on unprecedented conquest—and even today, his genetic influence can still be felt around the globe.

Harm-free cooking

10 basic principles of bromatology everyone should know

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How do you preserve and handle your food? Do you think your kitchen hygiene is good enough to avoid food poisoning from cross-contamination? Even if you are very careful about the safety of your food and the cleanliness of the surfaces you use for storage and cooking, we assure you that there are some generally overlooked threats you should pay attention to. In this article, we’ll go through 10 bromatological tips you probably didn't know. Get ready to learn how to take better care of yourself and your family!

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In the United States, supermarkets keep eggs in the refrigerator, but did you know that in most countries, you can find them right on the shelves, next to snacks or cans of beans? The truth is, eggs should be kept refrigerated to extend their shelf life as long as possible.

This standard practice must be replicated at home. You should always preserve your eggs in the fridge and, ideally, in a closed container to prevent other foods from being contaminated by bacteria. Can eggs be left out on the counter? Yes, but they will last a lot less and can eventually be dangerous.

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Do you know how to tell if a chicken is safe enough to eat? Here are some tips: Make sure the meat has a firm texture, no unpleasant odor, bright color, and no secretions. If you see a soft, sticky film or a greenish color, it should be discarded immediately.

If the piece meets the above requirements but you still think you should give it a wash before cooking, think again. It sounds counterintuitive, but believe us, if you wash a chicken, you are not getting rid of bacteria; on the contrary. When you clean it in the sink, the water splashes will infect everything around it, causing cross-contamination. If you think it’s dirty, it is best to wipe it with a damp paper napkin. Also, always use a cutting board exclusively reserved for chicken meat.

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Dairy products are the most sensitive to temperature changes and should always be handled with care. They must be kept in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days before consumption. Also, respect the expiration date and follow the instructions indicated on the package.

When cooking, avoid exposing dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and butter to room temperature for more than 15 minutes.

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Did you know that ground meats represent one of the greatest health risks? During mincing, bacteria transfer from the meat surface to the interior, making it more difficult to reach the necessary temperature to kill germs.

For this reason, you shouldn’t eat burgers or other preparations with undercooked minced meat. In fact, it is recommended that children under 5 years of age avoid eating any type of minced meat, regardless of how it is cooked. Contaminated ground meats can lead to a serious illness called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, which causes acute kidney damage that requires hospitalization and can even be fatal.

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Batch cooking often saves us from having to prepare a meal from scratch when we come home tired from work. However, we must take some precautions. For example, you should never store hot food in the refrigerator, as it can raise the temperature of the rest of the food.

It is important to cool your soups and stews thoroughly if you are planning to store them in the fridge. If you want to speed things up, you can transfer your preparation to a shallow pan or use an ice bath to cool it quicker. Remember not to leave the food out for too long, though, as it can ferment and bring other problems. This is essential, especially for large portions.

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When cooking, it is always important to have a basic knowledge of food safety to avoid food poisoning. We can all agree that homemade mayo is much better than store-bought. However, you should take some precautions if you want to prepare it at home.

Fresh, raw eggs, even those with clean, uncracked shells, may contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause various illnesses. To prevent these microorganisms from being transferred to the preparation, you can pasteurize the eggs beforehand. You only have to heat them in hot water, and after reaching 140ºF, the salmonella will die.

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Food should always be thawed properly to avoid contamination or damage to the product or tissues. The correct way of defrosting food is to place it in the fridge, not leave it out on the counter. Yes, it will certainly take longer, but this will prevent bacteria from forming.

This method requires planning ahead, but it is much safer than any other. Also, remember that food should be placed on a tray or platter to prevent contaminating other foods from the liquids released from thawing.

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Do you have a yogurt in the fridge that has been out of date for a couple of days, but you think it might be okay to eat? How about that piece of cheese or sliced bread with some green patches that look easy to just scrape away? If you are about to eat something that smells, looks, or tastes "weird", it is always best to throw it away.

We usually feel guilty discarding food because of how much it costs, but it is always best to avoid unnecessary risks.

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Did you know beer and soft drink cans can be covered with fungi and bacteria? Usually, storage and transportation centers are not clean enough, and there may even be rodent or bird feces, carrying all kinds of microorganisms that can make you sick.

Before opening cans or jars, wash them thoroughly with water and detergent. You can also spray them with 70% alcohol. And no, according to several studies, simply wiping them with your T-shirt or a paper napkin won't do the job.

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Keeping a tidy fridge can be a tedious chore, especially if you have a large family. However, it is key to maintaining your food safe.

You can follow these basic tips: Place meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products in the coldest part of the refrigerator and away from the door; keep ready-to-eat foods at the top; store raw foods at the bottom to prevent juices from contaminating other foods; cover fresh produce with plastic wrap, foil or lids to prevent cross-contamination.