While some health myths may seem harmless, believing in them can lead to ineffective treatments or unnecessary worries.
Health myths are equivalent to unchecked rumours; both can lead to unnecessary panic, confusion, and potentially harmful consequences if allowed to spread.
But before we discuss these myths at length, let’s take a short walk down memory lane.
Remember as kids how our parents forbade us from staying under a tree after dusk or sleeping under one at night?
The myth was that large trees were haunted. We all believed it.
Cut to science class; the myth was busted when we learnt that trees emit toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, which is why it’s advised not to sleep under a tree at night.
Now, to health myths.
These often circulate widely, fuelled by word of mouth, outdated information, or misinformation online. While some myths may seem harmless, believing in them can lead to ineffective treatments or unnecessary worries.
Separating fact from fiction is crucial for making informed decisions about our health.
Here are 15 common health myths debunked, based on scientific evidence.
Myth: Eating late at night causes weight gain.
Fact: Weight gain is primarily determined by the total number of calories consumed throughout the day, rather than the timing of meals. However, eating large meals right before bedtime can disrupt sleep and digestion. Therefore, it is suggested to eat the last meal at least two hours before bedtime, so the food has enough time to digest.
Myth: You need to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Fact: The notion that everyone should drink eight glasses of water per day is a myth. The actual amount of water a person needs to drink varies based on several factors, including weather, sweat rate, sweat type, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and overall health.
The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends 92-124 ounces (2-3 litres) of water daily for the average adult living in a temperate climate. It’s important to listen to one’s body and drink water and other fluids at regular intervals throughout the day rather than relying on thirst to indicate the need for hydration.
Myth: Reading in dim light will harm your eyes.
Fact: The belief that reading in dim light can harm your eyes is a common concern, but the evidence suggests that this is more myth than reality. According to various sources, including statements from medical professionals and scientific studies, reading in low light does not cause permanent damage to the eyes.
Experts clarify that although eye strain can occur, leading to temporary discomfort such as soreness, redness, or headaches, these symptoms are not indicative of lasting damage.
Myth: People with dark skin can’t get skin cancer.
Fact: It is a common misconception that people with dark skin cannot get skin cancer. However, this belief is not true. While it is accurate that darker skin provides some protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays due to higher levels of melanin, which can absorb and dissipate UV radiation, this does not confer immunity against skin cancer.
People of all skin colours, including those with brown and black skin, are susceptible to skin cancer. Although the incidence of skin cancer is lower in people with darker skin compared to those with lighter skin, it still occurs.
Therefore, people, irrespective of their skin colour, should use sunscreen.
Myth: Bar soap is covered in germs.
Fact: Bunty, tera sabun slow hai kya? Well, not sure about that, but it sure is a good marketing technique, to say the least.
Extensive research and studies have shown that while bar soap can indeed harbour bacteria, the levels present are not significant enough to pose health risks. Also, they won’t last long enough to spread.
A series of studies, including one from 1965, have consistently demonstrated that the bacteria on bar soaps do not transfer from person to person. Even when bar soap was deliberately contaminated with high levels of bacteria such as Staphylococcus and E coli, subsequent users did not pick up these bacteria.
The cleaning action of soap ensures that bacteria are washed away effectively.
Myth: Holding in a fart can damage the gastrointestinal tract.
Fact: Holding in a fart results in increased pressure within the digestive system, which can lead to symptoms such as bloating, pain, and discomfort. Experts say that while holding gas in can be uncomfortable due to intestinal distension, leading to bloating or nausea, it is not harmful in the long term.
Myth: Detox diets cleanse toxins from your body.
Fact: Experts suggest that the human body is already well-equipped to handle detoxification on its own. The liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs all play crucial roles in naturally eliminating toxins from the body. For instance, the liver chemically neutralises toxins, the kidneys filter toxins out through urine, and the skin expels toxins via sweat.
Scientific scrutiny reveals that detox diets rarely specify the exact toxins they aim to remove, and there is minimal evidence showing that these diets effectively eliminate any toxins.
In fact, some of the perceived benefits of detox diets, such as feeling more energetic or focused, are likely due to cutting out processed foods and alcohol, rather than directly removing toxins.
Myth: Eating too much sugar will give you diabetes.
Fact: The relationship between sugar intake and the development of diabetes is complex and often misunderstood. It’s a common misconception that consuming too much sugar directly causes diabetes.
However, the truth is more nuanced.
It’s important to distinguish between different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and is not linked to sugar consumption or lifestyle factors.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is often associated with lifestyle factors, including diet, but does not have a direct causation link with sugar intake alone.
Myth: Carrots help your eyesight.
Fact: While carrots are beneficial for overall eye health, they do not directly improve visual acuity or cure vision impairments.
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a compound that the body converts into Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. It supports the function of the retina and is essential for the formation of rhodopsin, the eye pigment responsible for seeing in dim light.
However, consuming carrots will not enhance one’s eyesight to superhuman levels nor restore vision to those who are visually impaired due to genetic, age-related, or disease-related factors.
Myth: Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis.
Fact: Several studies have investigated this claim and found no evidence to support it. The “cracking” sound is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints.
While habitual knuckle cracking might annoy those around you, it’s unlikely to cause any long-term damage like arthritis.
However, excessive or forceful cracking could potentially lead to joint irritation or injury in some cases. So, while it’s generally harmless, moderation might be wise.
Myth: Alcohol warms you up when it’s cold outside.
Fact: The sensation of warmth you might feel after consuming alcohol is more of a perceived effect rather than a true increase in body temperature.
Alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, particularly those close to the skin, which may give the sensation of warmth.
However, this can actually lead to increased heat loss from the body, potentially making you feel colder in the long run.
