Myths Vs. Facts: The Truth behind Age-Old Beliefs

Quick List

• Cold Weather Can Make You Catch a Cold
• Eating Late at Night Causes Weight Gain
• Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis
• Wet Hair Makes You Sick
• The Flu Vaccine Can Give You the Flu
• Detox or Cleanse Your Body Regularly
• Eating Carrots Improves Your Vision
• Swallowed Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years
• Using a Mobile Phone Causes Brain Cancer

Myths are false notions that consist of many misconceptions or beliefs that have been followed from the past. But some of them are created to explain some natural events and forces. In this article, let’s dig into some popular and basic health myths that have been ingrained in our minds for years, and dispel them with advanced scientific truths.

Cold Weather Can Make You Catch a Cold

Myth:

Catching a cold by stepping out into the cold or rain is one of the most common beliefs whereas the truth lies beyond this age-old misconception.

Fact:

The truth is that people get infected with a cold by the virus, and not by temperature. The reason why the virus gets its chance to infect our body during this time is because our body’s immune response becomes low due to the cold weather. And the primary cause of cold is people staying indoors close to others, which increases the chances of virus transmission.

Eating Late at Night Causes Weight Gain

Myth:

This myth gives nightmares to many dieters about eating late at night, fearing that it will result in unwanted weight gain.

Fact:

The actual weight gain can be determined by the total number of calories we consume throughout the day. Here, weight gain does not depend on the time of eating, but overeating at any time can do, as excess calories are stored as fat.

Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis

Myth:

Arthritis may develop while cracking our knuckles is another misconception that has been told for generations.

Fact:

The sound from cracking the knuckles is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint fluid when the bones in the joint are manipulated. This cracking is not even associated with arthritis and there is no scientific evidence.

Wet Hair Makes You Sick

Myth:

The myth about going outside with wet hair might lead us to illness.

Fact:

The truth is being outside with wet hair does not cause illness. Pathogens like bacteria and viruses, are the only basis of illness and not by external factors like temperature or wet hair.

The Flu Vaccine Can Give You the Flu

Myth:

There are some people concerned about this myth and avoid taking any vaccines when flu season approaches.

Fact:

Vaccines are created with inactivated viruses and they cannot give you the flu. There may be some mild side effects after vaccination, like low-grade fever or body aches, but they don’t come under the flu itself. The truth is that these side effects are the actual symptoms of building immunity to the virus.

Detox or Cleanse Your Body Regularly

Myth:

There is a popular myth going on to get rid of toxins from our bodies through detox diets and regular cleanses.

Fact:

Human body naturally contains detoxification systems, primarily the liver and kidneys to remove toxins from the body. And there is no need to prior any special detox diets or cleanses regularly. Plus, they often reduce nutrients in our bodies and can be harmful to our health.

Eating Carrots Improves Your Vision

Myth:

The myth about carrots is often true which can improve our eyesight but that does not mean eating mountains of carrots can give us super vision like Superman has.

Fact:

Vitamin A is essential to maintain eye health and vision. Vegetables that are rich in vitamin A can improve our eyesight. Various nutrients support to maintain our eye health but it relies on many factors beyond just one nutrient.

Swallowed Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years

Myth:

The myth of chewing gums is actually used to scare many children when they ask to buy one.

Fact:

Chewing gums may not be digested in the same way as other foods, but it is not going to stay in our tummy for decades. As they are similar to other indigestible substances like seeds, there is nothing to worry about. But it still haunts many children, even adults alike.

Using a Mobile Phone Causes Brain Cancer

Myth:

The myth of using mobile phones can be used to create awareness among children not to overuse them.

Fact:

There is no such evidence of a connection between mobile phone use and brain cancer. The radiofrequency that mobile phone emits is also considered non-ionizing and not harmful in the amounts typically used. There are also safety guidelines but none can match the risk of brain cancer.

Hence, these are the essential facts to be noted that are separated from fiction when it comes to health. Many scientific theories have deflated these common myths that have been ingrained in our minds for years.