Things We Only Inherit From Our Grandma

Your Grandma is 25% of you!

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It's easy to think that your DNA is simply from your parents, but their DNA has to come from somewhere. Essentially, you are made up of 25% of your Grandma's DNA. This is why the traits in this article are easily something you would inherit due to being made up of so much of her. Your Grandma is literally a fourth of you, so the traits that are passed down can be pretty strong.

Your allergies

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If your Grandma suffers from allergies and you do too, this comes as no coincidence. Due to the strong gene passed down, you are likely to have inherited this from your Grandma. This could be food allergies or even hay-fever in the highly pollinated months of the year. So when you are suffering, always think about your Grandma who probably will be or did too!

Your facial shape

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Even the way you look can be inherited from your Grandma and that's due to the genes that are passed down through generations. There have been cases where a daughter looks more like their Grandma than their biological father. This all depends on the strength of the genetics that are passed down and their dominance too. Find a photo of your young Grandma and compare the resemblance!

Your tone of voice

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Hormonal factors change the way the pitch of your voice is carried and this is something that your Grandma has a lot to do with. While your biological father can also be to blame for this, it’s ultimately due to the hormones in the body. The body's hormones have a great impact on the pitch of your voice and the hormones you have come from your older relatives in the family tree.

Your natural hair color

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The color of your hair is dependent on your family's dominant genes. This is why if your Grandma has ginger hair then you can probably thank her for your naturally orange hair. This is because certain hair colors are a dominant gene, and they are more likely to be inherited by offspring. This is the same for the texture of your hair and how thick the hair is too.

How you cope with anger

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It can be argued that the way you deal with situations and how you process anger is a learned behavior. if your Grandma has a bad time keeping her cool and not flying off the handle, you might suffer with this too. Largely, this isn’t much to do with genetics, but is to do with how impressionable you are as a youngster. We look to our elders to learn values and lessons.

Your hilarious sense of humor

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It's an interesting point that your sense of humor is made from the DNA you were born with. This is primarily from your biological dad’s genes but ultimately this is impacted by your Grandma too, considering he’s half your Grandma. Of course social factors can also play into your sense of humor and you may find that your humor is the same as other adults around you.

The way you handle emotions

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Following on from the anger sign, it isn't just your temper that is a learned behavior, any emotion can be learned from our older relatives. When you grow up with a Grandma who speaks about their emotions, you are much more likely to learn this behavior and do it too. It works the other way if your Grandma didn't open up, you probably won't either.

Underlying heart conditions

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It's important to be aware of any of your Grandma's heart conditions so you can be on the lookout for them. This is because some heart issues are known to be genetic and can be passed on through generations. If there is any you are aware of it's always important to get checked out or else you might be running the risk of being untreated for it. Doctor’s always ask about heart problems in your family!

Your motivation and aspirations

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Your motivation levels can be both genetic and learned behaviors that you hold all the way through life. For example, if you are born into a family which is very motivated for success then you the likelihood is that you’ll be conditioned to be the same. There's also no coincidence that the whole family is like this due to the genetics that have been passed down from your Grandma.

Your height (short or tall)

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It's pretty uncommon to see a family that has a range of different heights, and this is because this is a very dominant gene that is passed down. If your Grandma is tall then the chances are you will be too and this is significantly more common in women. If you are a woman the chances of gaining your Grandma's height are a lot higher due to the genetics that are passed on.

How intelligent you are

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The way in which your Grandma is biologically made up is a big determining factor to how intelligent you will be. This biological pool of genes is passed onto your father who makes up a lot of the genes that form your intelligence. Of course, intelligence can be affected by other factors too, like the people you surround yourself with, but your Grandma has a big part to play.

Your stress tolerance

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Life can be pretty stressful at times, and the way you deal with it might just have a lot to do with your Grandma. Your stress response is impacted by your surroundings and also by your genetics. This means that if your Grandma is able to take on a lot of stress, then this could be something that comes easy to you too. It's significant to note that the environment also has an impact on this.

The color of your eyes

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Your parents inherit eye colors straight from their mothers, who in turn become your Grandmas. With this being said, the eye color that you have is then directly affected by the color of your Grandma's eyes. Different colors such as brown, require dominant DNA so if your Grandma carries this, you have a better chance of having brown eyes if it's passed down.

The quality of your sleep

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If your Grandma suffers from sleeping disorders such as insomnia, then your parents are 58% more likely to suffer from this too. This then means that if they suffer, you are also much more likely to be affected as well. This is due to sleeping disorders being genetically transferable, but they can also be picked up in the environment you live in or your stress levels.

Any brain conditions you have

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Brain conditions are very serious and affect many people's day to day lives. Unfortunately, a lot of these are genetically passed down through generations, and you can be affected by the same condition your Grandma may have. This is why it’s super important that any relative who is told they have a brain condition lets you know so that you can get checked out too.

Your skin tone

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Your skin tone is passed down through generations and is a big part of genetics. This means that if your Grandma has a specific skin tone then you have a high chance of also having the same. This is the similar for your parents due to them being offspring of your Grandmas. Depending on the dominance of the gene, it will depend on how much you pick it up from them.

Your blood type

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Your blood type is inherited directly from your parents. With this being said, your parents also inherit their blood type from their parents. This means that your Grandma simply closes the gap on the type of blood you can have. This has a big impact and means that you will gain the blood type based on your grandparents in the end. It can be ever so useful if you ever need a blood transfusion!

Female health issues

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Unfortunately, female health issues can be inherited from your Grandma which means that generations can suffer from the same conditions. Conditions such as endometriosis are genetically transmitted and have affected many families to date. This does mean that your family can be a big support when going through this due to their first hand experience, so reach out to them.

The speed of your metabolism

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Your metabolism is the way that your body breaks down food during digestion. If your Grandma has a fast metabolism, then the chances are you will be blessed with this too. This is because metabolism is something that can be genetically passed down through generations and reach you. It's important to remember this and speak to your Grandma if you have concerns about your own.

The way you smile

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It can be great to compare pictures of your smile to your Grandma's to see a direct comparison. This is because your smile can be inherited from her. Due to the genes that females pass on, facial expressions are one of them and often affect offspring. You might have never noticed this until you look deeper; the chances are you have similar facial expressions.

The body type you have

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According to some estimates, your mother's body type and the way it is can determine 80% of your own. Your mothers body type is directly affected by your Grandma's meaning the chances are high that you’ll have the same body type. This is why many generations in a family can look very similar and have the same struggles with body image. You can take some time to thank your Grandma for that!

Your taste in food

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It isn't just a coincidence that your Grandma enjoys the same food as you at all. Although genetics have an affect on this, it’s certainly not the only factor that makes this the case. The environment, preferences of food, and age have a strong effect on a child's taste buds, and therefore, spending time with your Grandma will mean you inherit this.

Your strength and courage

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Your courage is something that you can directly pick up from your Grandma at a young age. This is especially the case if as a youngster you were around your Grandma going through hard times but always putting on a brave face. Although, this is not something a child realizes at the time, but gives them the strength in their own situations when they become an adult.

How you age

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Aging is a disappointing factor in becoming old and something that really can't be stopped, even if the anti-aging cream tells you it can be helped. If you want to have an idea of how you will age it's a good idea to look at your Grandma. These genes are something that a female passes on and will also affect how you age. Let's hope it's not too bad!

How you lose weight

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It can be pretty annoying when you want to lose weight in a specific area but just can't seem to make it budge. This is something that, as a woman, you can thank your Grandma for. As mentioned before, mothers pass on their body types through generations and this affects the way in which you lose weight too. This means a whole family on one side might be faced with the same struggles.

Mental health disorders

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Mental health disorders are sadly commonly passed down through generations. Studies show that genetics play a big part in people suffering from mental health disorders which are caused by previous generations. This means that if your Grandma suffers from a specific disorder you have a high chance of also developing it. This is something important to be aware of.

Life threatening illnesses

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Many life threatening diseases are passed down through generations and affect many people in the same family. This is why doctors will ensure they ask for any family medical issues when assessing you in the doctor's room. By doing this, they can rule out any diseases that your family may have before it is too late to take action. It's important to make sure you’re aware of these.

X-linked traits

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A mother is able to pass X-linked traits directly to any sons or daughters she may have. This means that your Grandma could have given these traits to either of your parents. This is ultimately because they hold the dominant gene linked to these conditions. An X-linked trait can be something such as color blindness, brown teeth, spinal issues, or even some forms of diabetes.

Your mood

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Believe it or not, your mood can be genetically and environmentally affected by the way in which your Grandma's mood is too. This is because your Grandma's genetics have a big impact on your parents genetic make-up and so this ultimately affects you too. It can also be said that growing up in a positive environment can have a big effect on your overall mood as you become an adult.

Other surprising things your genes can say about you: the amount of earwax you have!

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Are you always itching at your ear, thinking you're going deaf or pulling out big clumps when you clean out your ears? You might have your genes to thank for that! Genes can also affect the appearance, color and texture of earwax (whether it's dark, flaky, yellow, wet... yeah, we'll stop). The gene responsible is called ABCC11, and it also relates to the smell of your sweat, too! Lovely.

How gray your hair is (and how quickly!)

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Gray hair is something a lot of people dread, and has most reaching for the hair dye box every month. While it's a natural thing, it can happen very quickly and at a young age for a lot of people (it's never a great feeling to find a gray hair in your 20s!). The gene responsible for the gray hair situation is actually IRF4, and this gene can actually give insight into when you're likely to get your first gray hair.

Certain health conditions from the fraternal side

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There are things we've spoken about that you can inherit from your grandmother, and even health conditions that can become likely from your mother's side. But your father's influence can also pass on certain genes in terms of health risks. When men as father's age and they put on weight or gain bad habits, it can actually affect their genes. If this changed genes are passed to baby, it can increase risks of health conditions like diabetes.

Chances of blindness

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Losing vision as you get older is a natural thing, and it's one of those things linked to aging - but did you know it could also have a link to your original genetic makeup? It's believed that some genes can make it more likely to develop macular degeneration which causes vision loss in people over 50. Some combinations of this gene can make it more of a risk to develop later in life.

How your body copes with gluten

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There's actually around 40% of people who have genes linked specifically to celiac disease, which means how your body reacts to gluten could also be something you've inherited through genes, too. Although 40% of people have genes linked to the disease, that doesn't mean that 40% have it, as there's actually only a very small percentage of these people that show any symptoms!

The viruses your ancestors fought off!

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Evolution has meant that our bodies have adapted to certain situations - like our fight or flight instincts, for example - and that also counts to our body's reaction to illnesses and viruses. Some of the DNA we have is actually a small amount leftover from viruses that our ancestors fought off! Studies have shown these viruses we've inherited have been protecting our bodies against new ones.

The long lost worm cousin you never knew you had...

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This is not something we really want to think about, but stick with us! Apparently researchers in Japan have revealed that around 70% of genetic makeup in human beings is shared with acorn worms. Acorn worms are found in the water, with slits that resemble fish gills. It's believed those gills could have evolved to make our throat muscles, tongue, jaw and voice box... Yep.

How good a singer you are

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You don't have to have any 'musical' genes in you to become a good singer if you're willing to work at it, have lessons and learn pitch. But for some people, they can actually inherit perfect pitch, where you can hear or sing any note from the top of your head. Studies have shown that people with perfect pitch ability have a relative who also has that ability!

How sneezy you are

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Some people are very reactive to bright light in terms of sneezing. Have you ever had that tickle needing to sneeze and someone told you to look at a bright light to get it out? There's actually a name for it - photic sneeze reflex - and it can happen if there's a certain gene in your family line relating to it. So if even just one of your parents sneeze at the sun, you might have it too.

Whether you work best in the morning or evening

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Your body works off a circadian rhythm, and its relation to hours in the day is usually thought of as your 'body clock'. How your rhythm is affected by the 24 hours in the day has a lot to do with your genes and how they've influenced your body's makeup. People who have moments of their rhythm slowing down are known as either morning people or night people.

Your weight

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Have you ever had that moment where you realize you have to hit the gym for 3 hours just to work off a chocolate bar, whereas your friend can eat whatever they like and never put on any weight? It's not just about what you eat and your workout, as genes can play a huge part in the likelihood of putting on weight or not. Some people's DNA can result in them maintaining a good weight regardless.

Some DNA belongs only to you

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Genes of course are responsible for obvious traits like eye color and hair color, and they're all passed down and inherited, not only from your direct parents and grandparents, but your long line of ancestors. The gene molecules are called DNA, and while the majority of DNA will be the same for every person, a very small part of it belongs only to you, and unique to you.

The nature and nuture debate

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With so many things being inherited through genes, there's always a raging debate about nature versus nurture - but the fact is, it's both! There are many things that come through nature and your inherited genetic makeup, but environmental factors are always going to determine certain traits about your personality, body and life as you grow older. It's just that one of them might be more prevalent than the other in terms of nature/nurture!

Whether a food diet works for you

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Your genetic makeup can also play a huge part in whether a particular diet (KETO etc) is going to work for you, regardless of whether it worked for other people and you're doing the exact same thing they did! This is why a personalized diet plan from a dietician also taking genes into account can be the best way to go if you don't feel like a certain diet is working.

How much of a tantrum toddler you were!

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Most toddlers will act out on a regular basis as a part of growing up, but did you know genes can affect how often you act out in an aggressive way at a young age? It's likely you have your parents to blame if you were being particularly difficult during your early years, and this is because aggressive behaviors like lashing out or biting can be linked to genetics rather than just environmental upbringing! After a certain age, it becomes more about the environment and upbringing.

Can you smell asparagus pee?

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This is oddly specific, but it's something everyone knows about - your pee smells after you've eaten asparagus, but some people smell it more than others. Some might not even notice it at all. You might never have questioned it, but genes can actually make all the difference whether you can smell the changes in pee after asparagus! This is because of inherited genes that can affect sense of smell.

Can you roll your tongue?

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You're trying to do it while you're reading this now, aren't you? Some people can naturally do it, and others can't, leading to that frustrating battle with friends where you're getting angrier and angrier by the minute because you just can't get your tongue to move that way! Well, being able to roll it or not is all thanks to your genetic makeup, and a dominant gene means you can roll it!

Your need to travel

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The world seems to be split into a few firm categories when it comes to travel: people who hate to travel, people who need to travel as much as possible, and those happy to just take a vacation every year. This undying need to travel or not can actually be down to your genes, too, surprisingly, so if you do have a need to travel, it might be in your genetic makeup - and you shouldn't fight it!

What you're scared of

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It's definitely possible to inherit phobias from your parents or environmental factors through being strongly influenced to hate something or be scared of it. But actually phobias can also be genetic, too! They could naturally pass down to you through your genes regardless of whether you've been influenced about it environmentally or not.

How you cope with stress

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You can cope with stress in different ways, and most of the time it's going to take active effort to calm down, like counting to ten, meditating or changing your surroundings. While how you cope with stress is up to you, how stressed you get in the first place could actually be something you have no control over, because it can be down to genetics, too!