As we move about with our daily routines, we come across a number of rules and regulations that help guide us to a healthier lifestyle. Many-a-times, these rules turn out nothing more than purely fictional myths that we have been lured into believing ever since! It is indeed important that we separate facts from fiction at once and live life better. Hang on to us as we bring you the 23 common health myths that you need to stop believing in as soon as possible-
Alcohol, if taken in large dosages, can damage and destroy the ends of the neurons in the brain, slowing down their activity. However, alcohol will NOT kill the brain cells. Too much alcohol consumption is undoubtedly injurious to health. Nonetheless, it is possible to reverse the neuron damage by alcohol rehab and therapy that will cure the addiction.
Water and its effects have many myths associated with it. While some people believe that drinking lots of water will help clear out toxins from the bloodstreams, other believe that drinking a lot of water will help in weight loss. However, neither of these are true and hence, are nothing more than pure myths. An easier way to go about in your daily lives is to drink only when you’re thirsty. If you aren’t thirsty, your intake is just right and there’s no need to force any fluid into yourself only so you could meet the requirements of these fabrications!
Sweat is composed of about 99% water and helps in the cooling of the body to prevent any cases of overheating. Harmful toxins such as alcohol, mercury, etc. are eliminated by other internal body organs and not by sweat.
There is no substantial evidence that sugar causes hyperactivity in children and hence, it is only a myth. Kids are always enthusiastic and energised. Intake of sugar will not harm them or overpower their hyperactivity in any ways.
Hair and fingernails appear longer after death but that does not mean that they continue growing! The skin around our nails and hair retract and start shrinking due to a loss of moisture. This makes it seem like the nails and hair and growing, but instead it’s the skin that dries and keeps pulling in!
Are you afraid that the gum you just swallowed will stay in your tummy for 7 years now? Relax! It is true that the stomach does not produce the enzymes required to break the base of your gum. However, that little thing is not gonna stick to the walls of your stomach for the rest of your life. It will simply follow the same path as the other food items and will be excreted in your stool!
Legends have it that waking up a sleepwalker can give them a heart attack and increase chances of endangering their lives. However, this is not entirely true. It is possible that waking a sleepwalker could create situations of aggression or irritation but will definitely NOT harm the person in any way. It is rather advisable to guide the sleepwalker back to bed or wake them up if they show signs of refusal to prevent them from risking their own health.
This is one the most common myths believed by people all over the world. Shaving does NOT affect the growth or the thickness of the hair. It only causes the ends of the hair to become blunt making the hair appear thicker as it starts growing back again. Shaving does not affects the roots of the hair in any ways and hence, it doesn’t alter its thickness.
Our hair is made up of dead protein cells that cannot be restored. Shampoos and conditioners can only smoothen them to a certain extent for a temporary improvement. It is advisable to cut the damaged hair instead of relying on shampoos and conditioners for a lasting solution.
The tongue being a sense organ for various tastes can identify the sensation on its entire surface almost equally. It is made up many receptor cells with matching neurons in the brain that help in harmonising the tastes. Some regions in the tongue might be extra- sensitive to a particular taste or flavour, however, the difference is extremely small!
This myth is a very common and widely known misconception among the general public. The brain is a highly crucial organ in the body and most of its parts remain active all the time. You can use 100% of your brain if you do not have any brain injuries that have damaged certain regions of your brain.
The shade of the blood is determined by the oxygen content in it. If the blood is oxygen-rich, it has a bright red colour. Deoxygenated blood, however, has a dark red colour. The veins in the body carry this darker shade of blood and NOT any blue-coloured blood.
Antibiotic resistance is considered a major threat to global health. However, it is not the person who develops antibiotic resistance over time, but rather the bacteria. Once these bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics, the infections that they cause become harder to treat. This is the reason why antibiotics cease to work over longer periods of time as the bacteria learn to change and adapt to these specific medicines.
The “pop” sound that you hear after you crack your knuckles is the noise caused by the bubbles that burst in the lubricating fluids that is found in between your joints. These air pockets pop due to a negative pressure and will NOT cause your body to develop arthritis.
Vitamin C may have the required supplements to boost your immune system but does NOT protect or relieve you from a common cold.
The idea of touching or sitting on a public toilet seat might disgust you but they aren’t actually as dirty or unhygienic as you think they are. Most of the germs you pickup in a public restroom are on the floor or the sink. They are likely to be on your hands and to maintain utmost hygiene and cleanliness, it is advisable to wash your hands properly after use.
A widely believed misconception accepted worldwide is that antibiotics are helpful in curing a common cold. This is not true as common cold or flu is caused by air-borne viruses. Antibiotics, on the other hand, help against bacterial diseases and infections. They do not fight the common cold and may instead do more harm than good to the body.
Acute stress can induce a gradual raise in your blood pressure but has no evidence on effects leading to hypertension. There are other harmful indications like anxiety, depression, and anger-control instead of stress, that are more likely to trigger hypertension.
If you’ve been staying away from oily fried-food hoping to get clearer skin, chances are you’ve been holding on to a myth. Greasy and oily food is not the reason behind your greasy and oily skin. Acne is caused by other factors that aren’t associated with one’s diet. Factors like hormones and genetics, environment, poor skin care routine, etc. are more accurate causes for acne on your skin.
Most eye specialists say that reading in low light will NOT cause a lasting damage to your eyes. It will not result in any vision impairment or a decline in your vision but is likely to lead to a strain in your eyes. It is rather uncomfortable to read in dim light and will definitely tire your eyes out more quickly. However, it will NOT ruin your eyesight!
The caffeine in your coffee can prevent the tiredness induced by alcohol and make you more alert, but will NOT break down or get rid of the alcohol in your body. Coffee can work by energising your body to a great extent but will not sober you up or make you less drunk.
This is a popular myth but is regarded completely false by scientists and researchers all around the world. Cancer is more than 200 different diseases that might have similar effects on the body. Each of them require a specific approach to their treatment and hence, a single specified cure cannot and won’t ever be invented.
NEVER tilt your head back to try and stop a nosebleed. Tilting your head is likely to cause the blood to run down your throat, choking or gagging you. It is advisable to sit down, pinch your nose and lean forward slightly.
It is seen in many walks of life that myths are far from reality. They are a source of amusement and are not backed by any scientific research. Hence, believing in them and judging your health does not seem like a reasonable thing to do. If your body does not feel well in any way, consulting a physician should be your first and foremost approach.