There are so many health and wellness myths out there that you could easily end up being misled by. For example, you may have heard that eating carbohydrates lead to weight gain, which is not entirely true. In today’s digital world, frightening health-related headlines often make waves. However, not all public opinions about health and nutrition are true. Here are the top facts about health that people normally get wrong.
1. Sitting up straight prevents back pain
This idea is both true and false, depending on how you see it. From one angle, slouching all day long without straightening your back is not healthy for you. However, sitting up straight for extended periods, say an entire day, isn’t necessarily a sure way to avoid having a bad back. Sitting up straight for far too long without a break can actually cause strain. If you work from home or in the office, adjust your sitting posture such that your knees are kept at an angle of 90° while your feet rest flat on the floor. Your chair should also have lower back support. Finally, ensure that you get up and stretch yourself from time to time.
2. Organic foods are the best eatables
Do you get excited over organic food products all because they are said to be the best eatables out there? Well, you may want to ensure that you are not deceiving yourself, as in reality, there is nothing like 100% organic food. The organic foods that are sold in the market are actually grown by farmers from different locations, and some of them can use chemicals or pesticides to produce their food crops. Having said that, the concentration of the pesticides is kept low in order not to impact the health effects of the food crops. Some inorganic food products are also produced with minimal pesticides. But there is more to organic foods than meets the eye. Paying attention to the components of whatever you’re buying may help you make the best choice.
3. Chocolates cause acne in teens
Another popular myth is that teens who are addicted to chocolates are prone to getting acne on their face. However, numerous scientific studies have found no real connection between eating too much chocolate and acne. Researchers busted this myth by dividing teenagers into two groups; they then fed one group with adequate amounts of chocolates while the other teenagers were given little to no chocolates. The experiment was repeated for several days, and when the teenagers’ skins were later analyzed, the researchers discovered zero evidence of chocolate causing acne in teenagers.
4. Runners have a higher risk of developing knee problems
It’s also believed that athletes who often run risk getting knee problems. But, once again, scientific studies have not established any credible facts linking running to increased risks of osteoarthritis. Conversely, runners are expected to have stronger bones, healthier joints, and minimal risks of becoming obese. There is no good reason to believe that running, which is a form of exercise, can cost you knee problems, except that you have underlying health issues. So, as you stay in from COVID-19, feel free to run, jog, and take a yoga class.
5. Drinking too much milk will give you more calcium and strong bones
Some people have been made to believe that drinking adequate amounts of milk every day is an actionable way to enrich your body with calcium and vitamin D. Although drinking milk three times a day may be cool, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee you strong bones. Multiple studies on the role of milk in boosting bone density found no strong correlation, but that doesn’t mean ardent milk drinkers shouldn’t enjoy their cup of the drink. You could still drink reasonable amounts of milk to satisfy your protein needs.
6. The more you exercise, the more you increase your appetite
One common myth about exercise is that if you exercise more, you will end up increasing your appetite for food. While people who exercise and sweat more may feel hungry after working out, this doesn’t mean their appetite will increase significantly. Studies reveal that fitness junkies have better metabolic rates and follow healthy eating habits. As long as you know when to train, exercising should not force you to eat more than usual. Want to keep fit amidst the pandemic? You can ask your fitness trainer to recommend the best stay-at-home exercise programs for you to make the most out of the lockdown.
7. Food allergies are not dangerous
Although 25% of people think they are allergic to one food or another, food allergy is not that very common as you think. For example, studies have shown that only 2% of adults and 8% of children experience food allergies. Also, it’s not absolutely true to say that people with food allergies are allergic to all kinds of food. In reality, most individuals are allergic to fewer than four foods. That said, it might be dangerous to believe that food allergy is not a serious problem. In fact, a food allergy can be fatal if it causes reactions that tamper with your breathing. If you suspect that you have an allergic reaction to food, go online to see how to get a food allergy test from Allergy Insider. Once a doctor diagnoses you with a food allergy, try as much as possible to stay away from that food.
8. Skipping your sleeping hours is a smart decision
It pays to have good quality sleep every day. The temptation to combine all your missed sleeping hours into one day is real, especially if you work hard during the working days. However, getting extra hours of sleep over the weekends can ruin your sleeping schedules and your quality of life. For example, if you don’t sleep well on Saturday, that may affect your quality of sleep on Sunday evening. According to sleep expert Chris Banter, when you have a hard time sleeping on Sunday evening, that sets you up for a terrible Monday. This poor cycle of sleep can take a dangerous toll on your productivity. So, try to maintain regular sleeping hours throughout the week.
9. Going out with wet hair can make you fall sick
When you jump out of the shower and feel like time is not on your side, going outdoors with wet hair can freak you out, especially if the weather is cold outside. One myth says that going out with wet hair can expose you to illness. However, the fact remains that wet hair may not cause you to contract an outside illness, except that your immune system is already weak. Experts have not seen any evidence of wet hair causing illness as a result of outdoor temperatures. Nevertheless, be sure to mask up if you are visiting public places in this season of the coronavirus pandemic.
10. Eating carbohydrates will increase your weight
Well, carbohydrates are everywhere, and they are found in nearly all types of food. Lately, carbohydrates have been wrongly associated with weight gain, but they constitute an essential part of a balanced diet. Carbs are useful to your brain, nervous system, as well as your muscular system. Of course, it does not make sense to exclusively eat carbs all day long but, not adding them to your diet is not healthy either. Lack of carbs in your diet can impact your level of energy, mood, and productivity as carbohydrates are a wealthy source of fiber and good nutrition. If you don’t consume them in excess amounts, carbs won’t cause you to gain unnecessary weight.
11. Creative people use the right side of their brain
For years, it has been said that creative people use the right half of their brain while logical people use the left. You probably believed that myth some time ago, right? The myth gained popularity among the health community when early surgeries were performed on seizure patients. Expert neurosurgeons like Abhishek Sharma explain that the myth is based on early surgeries in patients when it was observed that the right hemisphere of the brain processed visuospatial information better, while the left side was also better at processing verbal information. Modern brain examinations of healthy people have shown that both creative and logical processes activate neural networks in the left and right hemispheres.
12. Not eating fatty foods will allow you to shed fat
Believe it or not, the best way to lose fat is not necessarily eating fat-free food. Rather, by carefully regulating the size of your portions and following a healthy diet plan, you can cut down your fat levels. When you eat more calories than your body requires, the excess calories will be turned into fat, and that’s when you will start gaining extra pounds. You may also want to add unsaturated fat to your diet; it improves your cardiac health and boosts your energy and mental health.
Hopefully, with these crucial facts about health at the back of your mind, you will think twice about these health myths before they mislead you.
