Thread by @nicknorwitz

Eating 1000 Sardines Gave Me THIS Superpower
(New 2026 Findings!)

1/8) I ran a self-experiment where I ate 1000 sardines in a month.

Sure, it made me stink—but it also gave me one epic superpower. Let me explain. 🧵 (link at the end)

We all know sardines make your breath stink and that they’re nutrient-dense.

That’s basic.

But eating that many sardines changed me. It gave me a “superpower” that had my inner Marvel nerd activated—and my scientist brain scrambling to explain it.

Eventually, I found those data.

2/8) It was new paper in a top journal turned confusion into clarity and left me in awe of how much we’re still uncovering about human physiology.

The superpower…

Full deep dive link: staycuriousmetabolism.substack.com/p/why-stinking…

3/8) I became cold resistant. The effect wasn’t subtle. I could stand shirtless in a Boston blizzard without so much as a goosebump.

4/8) One mechanism may involve 12-HEPE, a molecule derived from omega-3s (abundant in sardines). 12-HEPE is produced by brown fat and appears to enhance both muscle metabolism and brown fat activity.

5/8) Most people won’t notice anything like this. Why? Their omega-3 levels aren’t anywhere close to mine. Mine tripled the human average—approaching levels seen in marine mammals.

6/8) In humans, 12-HEPE levels are inversely associated with BMI.

Higher 12-HEPE → leaner phenotype (or vice versa).

7/8) Then came the finding that made everything click:

The receptor for 12-HEPE is…a smell receptor! But not just in the nose—it’s also expressed in brown fat, brain, and liver. It’s a Swiss army knife smell receptor repurposed all over the body!

8/8) This is a reminder of just how interconnected—and surprising—human physiology is.

And this is just the beginning. If you want a deeper dive into the data, check out the full deep-dive, HERE: staycuriousmetabolism.substack.com/p/why-stinking…