11 Biggest Health Myths That We Blindly Follow

Separating science from the myths is extremely important. We keep posting (and reading) about what we should be doing when it comes to health, but today we tell you ...

Separating science from the myths is extremely important. We keep posting (and reading) about what we should be doing when it comes to health, but today we tell you what are we doing and believing, that we should stop. You will be surprised to learn about the wrong efforts that go into following some of these myths which do not help us in any way at all. If anything, they can prove to be more harmful.

Busting eleven common health myths for your benefit:

Myth 1: Drink at least 2-3 litres of water

Reports of an average temperature rise this summer and the impending heat wave is already making headlines. The one piece of advice that you will hear is this. Drink as much water as your body needs. Not everyone needs 3 litres of water everyday. If you drink more water than your body needs, it may cause water retention and you appear bloated. Check the colour of your pee to determine how much water you need. If it is colourless and without much smell, you are good to go. Even if you have consumed just a litre!

Myth 2: Late night dinner is a no-no!

We have this often that a late night dinner causes a weight gain. You will be glad to know, that it doesn’t. The time of your meals doesn’t matter. Missing your meals does as it makes you binge eat. Just make sure there is an hour gap between your meal and your sleep. walk around the house if you are too lazy to head out for one.

Myth 3: Weekend’s are for catching up on sleep

Most of us have a crazy schedule all week where we miss out on our sleep. We think we can “make up” for our missed by sleeping on weekends. Here’s some news- doesn’t help! The attention span and the levels of fatigue do not return to normal if you sleep extra hours on weekends.

Myth 4: Sugar rush!

I remember being told that once as a kid I popped n 10 candies at a. time and could not be controlled because of the sugar rush it resulted in. Sugar rush is a myth! Numerous independent studies have proven that consuming large amounts of sugar doesn’t effect the stimulus of a child resulting in hyper activity. Mothers, are you listening?

Myth 5: A poop a day=healthy bowel

Regular bowel movements prevents constipation but a perfectly healthy person may not move their bowels on a daily basis. A regular bowel movement isn’t necessarily a sign of a healthy (or an unhealthy) bowel.

Myth 6: The five second rule

When you drop food on the ground and pick it up within five seconds, don’t be too pleased with it. Scientists have found out by putting the five second rule to test that as soon as the food hits the ground, it picks up large amount of bacteria. The time it takes for you to pick it up again, doesn’t make much difference. So next time you lose your favourite desert to the floor, throw it in the bin!

Myth 7: If you exercise, eat whatever you want!

I wish! But here’s the thing. No one thing can contribute to the all round development of your mind and body. It is a combined effort. We eat more than we move around and our body is mostly made up of that. Also fat people do not necessarily need to watch what they eat, thin people should to. Our body needs vital nutrients, which only food can give us.

Myth 8: Chocolate causes acne

When I was a teenager, I read somewhere that chocolate causes acne. And it made me stop eating the one thing that I cherished eating. It is only now that I know it is a myth. Chocolate is no where related to skin problems and in fact some of them are actually good for your skin.

Myth 9: Carbohydrates make you gain weight

The low carb/no carb diets are a favourite among most people hell bent to lose weight. Surprise! Surprise! Carbohydrates don’t make you fat, eating too many calories makes you fat. If you cut out the good carbs from your diet, your body will lose the fuel it needs to function. A low carb diet is also harder to stick with in the long run and you are not able to sustain your diet plan.

Myth 10: The microwave radiation is dangerous for the food

Imagine how my lazy self when I heard this myth from almost everyone. A microwave is after all an essential part of Indian homes, albeit, mostly for heating food. The microwaves are many many times weaker than the harmful radiation that we keep talking about. In fact X-rays are more harmful than the microwaves and I see no one objecting to getting one done when the doctor asks for it. The types of changes that occur in microwaved food as it cooks are from heat generated inside the food, not the microwaves themselves. It is actually like any other form of cooking that involves heat. Microwaving also doesn’t zap nutrients, contrary to belief.

Myth 11: Having many mini meals is better than three large meals

Every time we eat, our body’s metabolism does try to burn the food. So having many mini meals would account for more burning calories. But the difference is so minuscule that the effort put into this is not worth it. Each meal is an opportunity to lose control and snacking may not help you in over eating. Stick to a comfortable routine that you can sustain.

The busting of these myths are supported by our professionals and many studies across the globe. We do hope it makes it easier for you to pass on the wisdom to others. For professional dieticians, book one from Urban Company!