Misinformation in the world of health and wellness can spread faster than a juicy piece of gossip. Over the years, there have been several big achievements in medical research, but still, we believe several health myths to be true.
These supposed truths are misleading people into thinking they’re doing the “right” thing when it comes to their wellness. Here are 12 common health myths with an explanation of why they’re wrong backed up by medical research.
1. Myth: You need to drink eight glasses of water a day.
Truth: The amount of water you need depends on several factors including how often you exercise, your BMI, and the environment. No doubt staying hydrated is important, but there’s no one-size-fits-all number of glasses you should drink. Listen to your body, and be sure you’re consciously drinking water throughout the day.
2. Myth: Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.
Truth: Reading in low light might strain your eyes temporarily and cause fatigue, but it does not damage your vision permanently. According to the the University of Utah Health, a leading research institution in the United States, more light is always helpful, but reading in dim light won’t necessarily hurt your eyes. Light up the room when you can, but don’t worry if it’s a little dark.
3. Myth: Cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis.
Truth: The popping sound when you crack your knuckles is caused by the bursting of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid. This . However, excessive popping could lead to reduced grip strength over time.
4. Myth: Eating carrots improves your night vision.
Truth: Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, but they won’t improve your night vision beyond normal levels. Interestingly enough, this health myth comes from World War II propaganda. The Allies claimed that eating carrots and leafy greens made them successful at hitting their targets on the battlefield.
5. Myth: You lose most of your body heat through your head.
Truth: You lose body heat from any part of your body that is exposed to cold, not just your head. This health myth may stem from a series of experiments in the 1950’s involving members of the military. It seemed as though they got colder since their heads were exposed, however, this logic is flawed since our heads only make up 10% of our entire bodies.
6. Myth: You should wait an hour after eating before you swim.
Truth: There’s no scientific basis that you must wait an hour before swimming. Cramps may happen when you strain your body in the pool, or in any other form of exercise after eating. You also may feel full and bloated and less than confident in your swimming suit, which is really the bigger issue!
7. Myth: Sugar makes children hyperactive.
Truth: Numerous studies have shown that sugar does not affect children’s behavior. If your child is acting hyper at a birthday party, it’s likely because they’re excited about all the games and the tasty cake and ice cream they get to eat. Their energy levels aren’t directly connected to the sugar intake.
8. Myth: Cold weather makes you sick.
Truth: Cold weather won’t cause you to have a cold, but a virus most definitely will give you the sniffles. However, there is a nugget of truth to this healthy myth. Because people spend more time indoors and close to each other, they are more likely to transfer their cold to someone else.
9. Myth: Starve a fever, feed a cold.
Truth: This wives’ tale comes from Hippocrates, a Greek physician who knew as much as he could about medicine for the times. He believed that by starving a person who was sick, you were essentially starving the disease. Of course, there is no scientific evidence to support this health myth. Proper nutrition and hydration are a must to get you on the road to wellness.
10. Myth: The flu vaccine can give you the flu.
Truth: The flu vaccine is not going to give you the infection. People might feel mild symptoms after vaccination that are similar to the flu such as feeling flushed or having a mild headache, but the vaccine isn’t giving you the virus.
11. Myth: If you go outside with wet hair, you’ll catch a cold.
Truth: As stated earlier, colds are caused by viruses, not by cold air itself. Going out with wet hair might make you uncomfortable, but it won’t make you catch a cold.
12. Myth: More grains, the better.
Truth: Too much of anything is never a good thing. Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet, but they’re not the only nutrient you need. Your diet should also contain varied in fruits, vegetables, proteins, and fats.
Health Myths Debunked
Always ask your doctor if you want the best advice on your health. Only a medical expert can tell you exactly what’s true and what’s false when it comes to wellness. At the very least, you know there is very little truth in the health myths listed here. Let it be proof that you can’t always believe what you hear!
Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.