According To Science, Left-Handed People Are Truly Exceptional. Here’s Why

Lefties, rejoice! There is now scientific evidence that you truly are exceptional (even though we’re sure you probably already knew that).

This is good news seeing that it was just 20 years ago that studies suggested that left-handed people will die sooner or were prone to accidents. Over time, people have also taken left-hand dominance as a sign of weakness that lefties had to work to overcome. So, we think it’s safe to say that this new study is the uplifting one lefties need!

Read on for some fun facts about and great perks of being left-handed.

1. Nobody Knows Why Left-Handed People Exist

In spite of a good deal of research over the years, there still isn’t a definitive answer as to why some humans are left-handed. It could be partly hereditary from the mother’s side of the family tree. Another theory is that if there is more testosterone in the womb, there’s a greater chance the baby will be left-handed. In one study, twins were twice as likely to be left-handed as compared to the rest of the world.

2. Nobody Knows Exactly How Many Left-Handed People Are On Earth

Various studies estimate that between 5 and 26 percent of the population is left-handed. But those numbers vary depending on culture and region being studied.

3. Left-handed People Are More Likely To Be Good At Sports 

About 25 percent of all MLB players are left-handed (or “southpaws”). And, baseball’s not the only sport that’s advantageous for lefties. Interactive sports like tennis give lefties the upper hand. In fact, one report showed a whopping 40 percent of top tennis players are left-handed. Since left-handed athletes’ movements are different, opponents aren’t used to reacting to them. Athletes are built on routines, and when you disrupt their routine, it throws off their game.

4. Left-Handedness Was Never Extinct

Back in the day, left-handed students were forced to write with their right hands in an attempt to correct what was seen as a problem. Even with these questionable practices going on, the trait of left-handedness has not died. Instead of survival of the fittest, left-handedness is sort of a “survival of the unexpected.” For instance, in primitive cultures, 27 percent of people living in war-like regions were left-handed, compared to 3 percent in peaceful regions. Perhaps that’s because the right-handed fighters never saw the left hook coming.

5. Left-Handers Are Better Problem Solvers

Scientists believe lefties are better at divergent thinking, or coming up with multiple solutions to a problem. As a result, they are more likely than right-handed counterparts to pursue careers in science, art and technology. Famous lefties who made names for themselves in those fields include Marie Curie, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Pablo Picasso, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Jean-Paul Gaultier—an impressive lineup!

6. Left-Handedness Can Be Predicted Before Birth

Doctors can tell if a baby is left-handed through ultrasound. Most babies, or 90 percent of them, move their right arm and suck on their right thumb in the womb. That other 10 percent? Future lefties!

7. Lefties Are In Very Good Company

While studies about whether left-handed people are officially “better” thinkers are inconclusive, there is anecdotal evidence that lefties are very smart. Famous left-handed brainiacs include Albert Einstein, President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, as mentioned above, and Neil Armstrong. Not bad company to keep!

8. Most Left-Handed People Are Born In Late Spring To Early Summer

One study showed that most lefties were born between March and July. From this information, we can deduce that most lefties were conceived between June and October. As to what this indicates, well, researchers aren’t quite there yet—but it is an interesting finding nonetheless!

Sources used: Simple Most, Shareably