There is hardly a topic that is as full of myths and misconceptions as the world of health and wellness. Beliefs and old ‘wives’ tales passed down through generations that are still heavily believed today. Thankfully, researchers have researched many of these beliefs and discovered that many of them don’t actually hold up to medical science. These are some of the most common medical and health myths still prominent in today’s society that aren’t actually true.
Common Health Myths Debunked By Science
We all know the kind – little quips that people tell us casually that they’ve heard from their friend, who heard it from their auntie, who learned it from her grandfather, who learned it from who knows where. Things like eating lemons while pregnant will increase the chances that your baby will be a certain sex, or that the temperature of the water you drink will have an impact on your bodyfat percentage or capacity to lose weight – the list goes on. Most of these health myths, however, don’t actually have any base in science and are pretty easily disproven with a bit of research. These are some of those myths.
Myth 1: Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a Day
Yes, hydration is important, and yes, most of us likely need to drink more water than we do. The myth that individuals should consume eight glasses of water daily is pervasive in popular health advice. You can even purchase measured water bottles or download applications on your phone to help you achieve this goal. The thing is, when you actually review the research on this topic, you will find that this recommendation lacks substantial scientific backing. In fact, excessive water intake can pose health risks, emphasizing the need to dispel this widespread myth. Hydration is important, but the amount of water you need is highly dependent on several factors, including the climate you live in, how much sweating you do, and your diet, among other things. Instead of focusing on a specific quantity of water, focus on urine color. It should be a pale yellow color, not too dark and not too light. Focus on including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, which will help you achieve proper hydration status along with essential nutrients and electrolytes.
Myth 2: We Use Only 10% of Our Brains
Despite its enduring popularity, the notion that humans utilize a mere 10% of their brain capacity has been thoroughly debunked through extensive neuroscientific evidence. Studies examining brain damage, imaging, and function localization have consistently refuted this myth, underscoring the pervasive misinformation surrounding brain utilization. If this myth were true, then brain damage would only matter if it occurred only on that 10% of the brain. We know, however, that brain damage on any part of the brain can cause permanent and lasting effects. In fact, extensive research has revealed that we do, in fact, use our whole brain. There are no ‘dormant’ areas or sections that we don’t use.
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Myth 3: Hair and Fingernails Continue to Grow After Death
The belief that hair and nails continue to grow after death has been perpetuated through various cultural references. This is all in spite of forensic evidence and biological understanding challenging the veracity of this myth. Think about it: Growth of anything requires energy. It requires certain processes to occur inside your body, along with a certain intake of energy and liquids. If you are dead, you are not eating or drinking. You are not taking in or expending any energy. How could anything, including hair and nails, grow under these conditions? Now, there is a phenomenon that can occur after death which causes the appearance that nails are continuing to grow. This is the dehydration and drying of the skin, which then contracts. This reveals more of the fingernails themselves, which were once hidden under the skin. While the nails may appear longer, they are not. They are the same length as before, just more exposed.
Myth 4: Shaving Causes Hair to Grow Back Faster, Darker, or Coarser
Another prevalent misconception pertains to the effects of shaving on hair regrowth. Anyone who has gone to an esthetician for any kind of waxing, sugaring, or laser hair removal has likely heard this myth. Contrary to popular belief, scientific studies have conclusively demonstrated that shaving does not influence the rate, texture, or color of hair growth, dispelling this enduring myth rooted in popular culture. The reason why we tend to think that shaved hair is more coarser than waxed hair, for example, is because of how it is cut when you shave it. When you shave, you are cutting the hair off at the base where it grows out of the pores in your skin. This removes the finer tips at the end of each strand of hair, giving the sensation of coarser hair. In reality, it’s just because of the way the hair is cut – the actual texture of the hair is no different at all. The hair part of the hair that then continues to grow has not been exposed to the sun, therefore yes, it is darker. Give it time and it will be bleached by the sun, as well.
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Myth 5: Reading in Dim Light Ruins Your Eyesight
The idea that reading in dim light causes permanent vision damage has been a persistent concern for many. However, an analysis of ophthalmological perspectives and physiological responses reveals that while dim lighting may induce temporary strain, it does not lead to lasting harm to ocular function or structure. When you are reading something in low light, you may have a harder time focusing, you may need to squint more to read it, and your actual rate of blinking will decrease. All of this can lead to a dryness of the eyes, which can cause a sensation that you are somehow damaging your eyesight. Thankfully, while you may experience temporary discomfort, science shows us that there is no actual permanent damage done.
Myth 6: Eating Turkey Makes People Especially Drowsy
We all know the myth. You often hear it come up around the holidays, when people are eating large meals that usually feature a turkey. The association between turkey consumption and post-meal drowsiness has long been linked to the amino acid tryptophan. Nonetheless, scientific research shows that the sleep-inducing effects of turkey are not substantially different from other common protein sources. The real reason why you feel so sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner? Because you ate a big meal, much bigger than usual, and now your body is using more energy trying to digest it all. Both flow of blood and oxygen are being redirected from the brain to the digestive system, causing you to feel drowsy. Any larger protein and carbohydrate-heavy meal will cause the same effect, regardless of whether that meal features turkey.
Myth 7: Mobile Phones Create Considerable Electromagnetic Interference in Hospitals
Concerns regarding the disruptive effects of mobile phone usage in healthcare settings have permeated public consciousness. However, a thorough investigation into incident reports reveals a lack of substantial evidence supporting these claims. Studies from around the world have found that cell phone interference with nearby other technology is always less than 2%, and most often less than 1%. The biggest threat cell phones could have in the hospital setting is due to worker distraction rather than technological interference. Thankfully, most hospitals, as with most workplaces in general, have policies about cellphone use while at work.
The Bottom Line
Health myths permeate the medical world and the health and wellness industry. Things like bras cause breast cancer to working out in the morning burns more calories than any other time of day are still heavily present both online and in the real world. It is always important not to simply believe everything you hear and read, even if its from so-called ‘experts’. Do your research, as for sources, and fact-check the things you are told. This way, you can avoid continuing the spread of misinformation and stop stressing yourself out over small health details that in the end, aren’t true.
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