In our daily lives, we often come across numerous tips and advice about health and wellness. Some of these are passed down from generation to generation, and others are spread through social media or word of mouth. However, not all of this advice is based on scientific evidence. In fact, many popular beliefs about health are actually myths. In this article, we will debunk 12 common health and wellness myths that you might have been told.
1. Eating at night causes pot belly or weight gain
It doesn’t matter what time of the day you eat, as long as you eat more calories than you burn in a day, you will gain weight.
Having a snack late at night is no different from having a snack at noon.
Next time you’re hungry at night, don’t feel guilty eating grabbing that snack. But, don’t overeat.
2. Reading in dim light or sitting too close to the TV causes bad eyesight
This is false.
Our ancestors lived in a darker world with only candles and moonlight as sources of light yet no evidence suggests they had worse eyesight than us.
Reading in dim light can cause eye strain. This eye strain is because the muscles in your eyes are working hard to make you see just like any other muscle in your body works.
Eye strain has no long-standing effect on vision.
3. We only use 10% of our brain.
This is completely false.
We do not use all the different parts of our brain at the same time but we definitely use more than 10% at any given time.
With the help of MRI scans and other advanced neuroimaging tools, scientists have shown that no area of the brain is completely inactive.
4. Cutting or shaving your hair will make it grow back faster, darker and coarser.
Strong scientific evidence disproves this claim
The hair we cut off is non-living. The living tissues that make our hair are located below the skin surface and are not affected by cutting or shaving the hair. The colour, texture, and rate of growth of hair are determined by genetics only
5. Eating raw eggs gives you more energy or more protein
The protein in raw eggs is too complex for the body to absorb. So in fact, you are getting less protein by eating raw eggs.
Eating raw eggs can be potentially dangerous if they contain Salmonella
You lose some vitamins when you eat raw eggs and eating raw eggs has been associated with hair loss.
Always cook your eggs before eating them.
6. Pneumonia is caused by cold weather, drinking cold water, or sleeping under the fan
Untrue!
Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. In the absence of these organisms, there is no way cold water, cold weather, or sleeping under the fan will make you get pneumonia.
7. If you’re bitten by a snake, tie the area above the bite tightly / suck the poison
Not only is this completely wrong, it is potentially fatal.
Tying the area tightly will reduce the amount of blood flowing to that part eventually causing the death of that body part, nerve injuries, and or worsening of the local effect of the venom.
Also, do not suck the venom out. You can’t.
Rather, do not panic, immobile the area that was bitten and keep it in a position lower than the heart if possible, and go to a health facility as soon as possible.
8. Swimming right after eating is dangerous / Wait 30 minutes after meals to swim
Swimming after eating a large meal may be uncomfortable but it is not dangerous.
According to available evidence, the risk of cramping, vomiting, or drowning after eating is the same as when you swim on an empty stomach.
To prevent discomfort when swimming, it’s generally advisable not to eat large heavy meals before swimming.
9. Dirty toilet seats can transmit STDs
STDs are SEXUALLY transmitted.
You will have to worry more about washroom door handles or knobs than toilet seats.
Wash your hands with soap and water after touching washroom handles and knobs.
10. A woman cannot get pregnant during her period
This is not true.
Sperms can survive up to a week inside a woman’s body.
These sperm can comfortably sit out the bleeding phase and go on to fertilise an egg after ovulation. So a woman can get pregnant when she has sex during her period.
11. You need supplements to keep you healthy.
Food contains all the necessary nutrients to keep you healthy.
If you eat a balanced diet every day, you don’t need supplements.
Ladies planning on getting pregnant should take folic acid though.
If your doctor doesn’t prescribe a supplement for you because of a specific condition, there is no reason to take supplements.
12. Headache = migraine
This is not always true.
Migraine is only one type of headache. There are numerous other types of headaches with different causes. You need to see a doctor for a thorough assessment to know if your headache is a migraine.
It’s important to remember that not all popular advice is based on scientific evidence. Always be sure to fact-check and consult with health professionals before adopting new health practices. Knowledge is power, and understanding the truth about these myths can help us make better decisions about our health and wellness.