Lifestyle

5 Health Myths Debunked

By  | 

There are many health-related myths that have been floating around for years, but thanks to research and modern medicine, many of them have been debunked. Nevertheless, there are still some around that just refuse to die, so let’s examine the most common health myths.

1. Cracking your joints will lead to arthritis

Fellow knuckle-crackers can continue cracking, despite the popular rumor that it will give you arthritis. Studies have shown that those who crack their joints are just as likely to get arthritis as those who do not. When you pull or twist your joints, you are releasing some of the pressure that lubricates the joints. When this happens, bubbles form in the fluid, which cause the cracking sound.

2. Eggs are bad for you

This was a big one in the ’70s. The claim that cholesterol is bad for your health and can be a major cause of heart disease, led many to stay away from eggs for breakfast. However, eggs are extremely rich in nutrients, and studies have shown they pose no risk of unhealthy levels of cholesterol, problems with heart disease, or potentially lead to type 2 diabetes. In fact, eating as many as two eggs can have even a slightly beneficial effect on reducing risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.

3. You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day

Sure, drinking water is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but the idea we need to drink at least 8 glasses a day is bogus. In fact, we get a large amount of our daily water intake from from food alone. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re thirsty, drink enough water to quench your thirst, and you’ll be able to stay healthy and hydrated.

4. Being cold can give you a cold

Ever played outside in the cold when you were young, only to have your mom tell you to come in before you get sick? Well, it turns out spending time outside in the cold air doesn’t make you sick. In fact, studies have shown that those who spend several hours outside in very cold temperatures actually had an increase in healthy, virus-fighting activity in their immune systems.

5. Deodorant can cause breast cancer

It has been suggested that deodorant can cause breast cancer, based on the notion that the chemicals can seep into the skin. However, nearly all studies have shown that there is little evidence that support this claim. The National Cancer Institute even says that there is no evidence that links deodorant to breast cancer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *