From old wives’ tales to playground warnings, we’ve all been cautioned against habits supposedly harmful to our health. Yet, as science progresses, many of these myths are debunked, leaving us to wonder what else we’ve been mistakenly avoiding or fearing. Let’s unveil the truth behind these common misconceptions, shedding light on the lies we’ve been told.
Sitting Too Close to the TV
Once believed to ruin eyesight, sitting too close to the TV is now known to be harmless. It’s often a sign that a child may need glasses, not a cause of bad vision. Modern screens emit less harmful emissions than their predecessors, making this less of a concern.
Swimming After Eating
The old warning that swimming after eating could cause cramps and drowning has been debunked. While it’s true that blood flow increases to the stomach during digestion, it doesn’t significantly impact muscle function or cramp risk in swimmers. It’s more about comfort than safety.
Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis
The satisfying pop of cracking knuckles was once said to lead to arthritis. Research shows that the sound comes from gas bubbles bursting in the fluid around the joint, not from damage. There’s no proven link between knuckle cracking and arthritis.
Reading in Dim Light Ruins Eyesight
Reading in dim light was believed to cause permanent eyesight damage. While it can cause eye strain and temporary discomfort, it doesn’t damage eyesight in the long term. Good lighting makes reading easier, but the darkness isn’t as dangerous as once thought.
Eating Before Bed Causes Nightmares
The idea that eating before bed leads to nightmares has no scientific backing. While heavy or rich foods can disrupt sleep or cause discomfort, they’re not directly linked to nightmares. Sleep quality, rather than dream content, is more likely to be affected.
Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
Shaving doesn’t change the thickness, color, or rate of hair growth. The blunt tip of a new hair may feel coarser, but it’s the same thickness as before. This misconception stems from the appearance of stubble, not actual changes in hair growth.
You Can Catch a Cold from Cold Weather
Colds are caused by viruses, not cold weather itself. While cold weather may correlate with the cold season, it’s due to people spending more time indoors and in close quarters. Dressing warmly is more about comfort than preventing illness.
Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years
Gum doesn’t digest, but it doesn’t stay in your stomach for seven years. It passes through your digestive system relatively intact and exits your body. While it’s not recommended to swallow gum frequently, an occasional piece won’t linger for years.
Chocolate Causes Acne
No direct link between chocolate and acne exists. Acne is influenced by hormones, bacteria, and sometimes diet, but chocolate alone isn’t the culprit. Moderation is key, as with any food, but a chocolate bar won’t directly cause a breakout.
Watching TV Too Much Makes Your Eyes Square
An old saying is to discourage too much screen time, but it is physically impossible. Eye shape can’t be altered by watching television, regardless of how much you watch. It’s more about encouraging moderation and other activities than actual eye health.
You Need to Drink Eight Glasses of Water a Day
The eight-glasses-a-day rule is more of a guideline than science. Hydration needs vary by individual, activity level, and climate. Listening to your body’s thirst cues is a better hydration strategy.
Microwaves Zap Nutrition
Microwaving food is thought to destroy nutrients, but it’s actually one of the best methods to retain them. The quick cooking time and minimal use of water preserve more vitamins and minerals than many other methods. It’s not the microwave but the cooking time and method that matters.
Eating Carrots Improves Night Vision
Carrots are high in vitamin A, important for eye health, but they don’t give you night vision. This myth was propagated by the British during WWII to conceal radar technology. While they’re good for overall eye health, don’t expect superhero vision.
You’ll Get Sick if You Go Out with Wet Hair
Going out with wet hair in cold weather won’t make you catch a cold. Viruses cause colds, not temperature. This myth may stem from the fact that cold and flu viruses are more common in colder months.
Touching Toads Gives You Warts
Toads don’t give you warts. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), not amphibians. The bumps on a toad’s skin are glands, not warts, and they’re harmless to humans.
Coffee Stunts Your Growth
No evidence supports the idea that coffee consumption stunts growth. This myth may be linked to older concerns about caffeine consumption in children, but it doesn’t affect height. Nutrition and genetics play far more significant roles in determining height.
Using Cell Phones at Gas Stations Causes Explosions
The fear that cell phone use could ignite fumes and cause an explosion at gas stations is unfounded. No incidents have been scientifically linked to mobile phone use. Static electricity poses a greater risk, which is also rare.
Chewing Gum Boosts Concentration
Chewing gum is often touted for improving concentration and cognitive function. While it can help some people focus or manage anxiety, the effects vary widely. It’s not a guaranteed method for better focus, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Sugar Makes Children Hyper
Many believe sugar causes hyperactivity in children, but research doesn’t support this. Dietary sugar isn’t linked to hyperactivity. It’s more likely that the excitement of situations where sugary treats are present (like parties) is the real cause.
You Shouldn’t Swim During Your Period
The myth that swimming during your period is unsafe or unhygienic is entirely baseless. Modern menstrual products make it perfectly fine to swim at any time. This myth likely stems from outdated attitudes towards menstruation.
Eating Spinach Makes You Strong
Thanks to Popeye, spinach is famous for making you strong because of its iron content. While spinach is healthy, its iron isn’t immediately muscle-building. It’s part of a balanced diet, but you won’t gain super strength from a can.
Cats Steal Babies’ Breath
An old wives’ tale suggests cats, attracted to the milk on a baby’s breath, could suffocate them. In reality, cats do not “steal breath” from infants. Supervision is essential, but the myth is baseless fear-mongering.
Eating Cheese Before Bed Causes Nightmares
There’s no evidence that cheese causes nightmares. While eating a large meal before bed can disrupt sleep, cheese itself isn’t a nightmare trigger. This myth might come from the belief that digestion affects dreaming.
You Can Burn Off Bad Food with Exercise
The belief that you can “burn off” unhealthy food choices with exercise oversimplifies how the body processes food. While exercise is important for health, it can’t negate all the effects of poor dietary choices. A balanced diet and regular exercise are both important.
