Home: Your Health: A Science-Based Approach

Fact or Fiction? 20 Common Health Myths Fact-Checked

We're exploring 20 commonly held health "facts" that are actually myths.

This exploration is particularly relevant given the "half-life of truth" in medicine—a concept suggesting that about 50% of today's accepted medical facts may be proven wrong or significantly revised within seven years.

A prime example of this is the dramatic shift in our understanding of stomach ulcers.

For decades, the medical community believed ulcers were caused by stress, spicy foods, and excess stomach acid. This "fact" was taught in medical schools and widely accepted. However, in the 1980s, researchers Barry Marshall and Robin Warren discovered that most ulcers are actually caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium.

This finding revolutionised ulcer treatment, shifting from stress reduction and dietary changes to antibiotic therapy.

Marshall and Warren's work, which earned them the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, demonstrates how even established medical truths can be overturned by new research.

Here are 19 more myths fact-checked…

1. Myth: Humans Only Use 10% of Their Brains

Fact-Checked: This is a popular misconception. In reality, we use most of our brain, with different parts active at different times for various functions[1].

2. Myth: Eating Cheese Before Bed Causes Nightmares

Fact-Checked: There's no scientific evidence supporting this claim. While heavy meals before bed might disrupt sleep, cheese itself doesn't cause nightmares[6].

3. Myth: Fingernails and Hair Continue to Grow After Death

Fact-Checked: This is false. The appearance of growth is due to the skin retracting as it dehydrates, making nails and hair appear longer[3].

4. Myth: Sugar Makes Children Hyperactive

Fact-Checked: Multiple studies have found no link between sugar intake and hyperactivity in children. The perception may be due to the context in which sugar is often consumed (parties, excitement)[4].

5. Myth: You Should Pee on a Jellyfish Sting

Fact-Checked: This popular remedy is not recommended and may actually worsen the sting. Instead, rinse the area with seawater and seek medical attention if needed[5].

6. Myth: Coffee Stunts Your Growth

Fact-Checked: There's no scientific evidence that coffee or caffeine stunts growth. However, excessive caffeine can interfere with sleep patterns, which is important for overall health[2].

7. Myth: Vitamin C Prevents the Common Cold

Fact-Checked: While Vitamin C is important for immune function, studies show it doesn't prevent colds in the general population. It may slightly reduce the duration of colds for some people[7].

8. Myth: Cold Weather Increases Your Chance of Catching a Cold

Fact-Checked: Cold weather itself doesn't cause colds. Viruses cause colds, and they spread more easily in winter because people spend more time indoors in close contact with others[8].

9. Myth: Eating Eggs Raises Cholesterol Levels

Fact-Checked: For most people, dietary cholesterol (like that in eggs) has little impact on blood cholesterol levels. The body regulates cholesterol production based on dietary intake[9].

10. Myth: You Lose Muscle if You Don't Eat Immediately After Exercise

Fact-Checked: While post-workout nutrition is important, the "anabolic window" is longer than previously thought. Consistent daily protein intake is more crucial than immediate post-workout consumption[10].

11. Myth: Carbonated Water Is Bad for Your Teeth

Fact-Checked: Plain carbonated water is not harmful to dental health. It's the added sugars and acids in some flavoured sparkling waters that can potentially harm teeth[11].

12. Myth: Eating Fat Makes You Fat

Fact-Checked: Not all fats are created equal. Healthy fats are essential for bodily functions and can actually aid in weight management when consumed in moderation[12].

13. Myth: Eating Turkey Makes You Sleepy

Fact-Checked: While turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can help produce serotonin and melatonin (which aid sleep), it doesn't contain any more than other poultry meats. The drowsiness often associated with holiday meals is more likely due to the large amount of food consumed, particularly carbohydrates, which can trigger a rise in insulin levels and increase the uptake of tryptophan into the brain. Additionally, holiday relaxation and alcohol consumption may contribute to sleepiness[13].

14. Myth: Eating Celery Burns More Calories Than It Contains

Fact-Checked: While celery is low in calories, it doesn't cause negative calorie balance. The energy used to digest celery is much less than its caloric content. However, it's still a healthy, low-calorie food[14].

15. Myth: You Need to Drink Sports Drinks During Exercise

Fact-Checked: For most people doing moderate exercise, water is sufficient. Sports drinks are beneficial mainly for intense, prolonged exercise lasting over an hour[15].

16. Myth: You Should Brush Your Teeth Immediately After Eating

Fact-Checked: It's actually better to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush, especially after acidic foods. This allows time for saliva to neutralise acids and re-mineralise teeth[17].

17. Myth: Wearing Tight Clothes Causes Varicose Veins

Fact-Checked: Tight clothing doesn't cause varicose veins. They're primarily caused by genetics, age, pregnancy, and prolonged standing or sitting[18].

18. Myth: Your Blood Turns Blue When It's Deoxygenated

Fact-Checked: Blood is always red, both inside and outside the body. Deoxygenated blood is darker red, not blue. The blue appearance of veins is due to how light penetrates the skin and reflects off the blood vessels[19].

19. Myth: Natural Sugar is Healthier Than Added Sugar

Fact-Checked: To the body, sugar is sugar, regardless of the source. However, foods with natural sugars often contain other beneficial nutrients, making them a better choice overall[20].

This article is for general information only and is not intended to treat or diagnose medical conditions. If in doubt please check with your GP first.

References:

[1] Boyd, R. (2008). Do people only use 10 percent of their brains? Scientific American.

[2] Temple, J. L., et al. (2017). The Safety of Ingested Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry.

[3] Rosholt, M. P., & Rosholt, W. W. (2011). Forensic taphonomy and the postmortem interval. Scientific American.

[4] Wolraich, M. L., et al. (1995). The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children. JAMA.

[5] Ward, N. T., et al. (2012). Evidence-Based Treatment of Jellyfish Stings in North America and Hawaii. Annals of Emergency Medicine.

[6] British Cheese Board. (2005). Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese.

[7] Hemilä, H., & Chalker, E. (2013). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

[8] Eccles, R. (2002). Acute cooling of the body surface and the common cold. Rhinology.

[9] Carson, J. A. S., et al. (2020). Dietary Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation.

[10] Aragon, A. A., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2013). Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window? Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

[11] Chowdhury, C. R., et al. (2018). Dental Erosion Potential of Beverages: A Review. Journal of Research and Advancement in Dentistry.

[12] Liu, A. G., et al. (2017). A healthy approach to dietary fats: understanding the science and taking action to reduce consumer confusion. Nutrition Journal.

[13] Ballantyne, C. (2007). Does Turkey Make You Sleepy? Scientific American.

[14] Nestle, M. (2018). Unsavory Truth: How Food Companies Skew the Science of What We Eat. Basic Books.

[15] American College of Sports Medicine, et al. (2007). Exercise and Fluid Replacement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

[16] Cheng, R., et al. (2009). Dental erosion and severe tooth decay related to soft drinks: a case report and literature review. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B.

[17] Beebe-Dimmer, J. L., et al. (2005). The epidemiology of chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Annals of Epidemiology.

[18] Kienle, A., et al. (1996). Why do veins appear blue? A new look at an old question. Applied Optics.

[19] Rippe, J. M., & Angelopoulos, T. J. (2016). Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding. Nutrients.