Why the Biggest "Myths" About Health May Actually Be Right

 

There are many health-related misconceptions, half-truths, and "old wives' tales" that are perpetuated from generation to generation. The reality is that some of the medical advice you were given as a child was correct. Not everyone, though. It can be difficult to tell fact from fiction when it comes to health information since, especially when it comes to diet and nutrition, new studies occasionally come out that either contradict or at least add new information to older research. In other cases, there just isn't enough reliable scientific evidence to support or refute an urban legend.

1. Drink eight glasses of water per day

The total water point is highly important since it estimates your daily water intake from all foods and beverages combined, as opposed to just how many liters of water you should drink from the tap. It is important to understand that the average person gets 80% of the water they require each day from drinks, especially caffeinated ones and that the remaining 20% comes from food. However, a lot of people think that drinking eight 8-ounce glasses, or 2.5 liters, of water straight from the faucet, counts as the daily suggested quantity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "drinking enough water every day is good for overall health" (Trusted Source) is extremely clear in this regard.

2. Eating late will make you gain weight

Late-night eaters usually weigh more and have higher body mass indices (BMIs), which measure weight in relation to height, than persons who eat earlier in the day. A 2019 study that was released in the Journal of Obesity found a link between having a late supper or a snack before going to bed and a higher chance of being overweight or obese. A higher likelihood of being overweight was found to be associated with skipping breakfast and nocturnal eating habits, such as having a late dinner and a snack before bed. The researchers believe that this is because eating late at night can affect your body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels and circadian rhythms.

3. Eggs are bad for the heart

Eggs have the most cholesterol of any typical food, despite the fact that they are packed with nutrients. Because of this, some people have recommended that we limit our egg consumption to two to four per week and that those with type 2 diabetes or a history of heart disease should eat fewer eggs. but new research There is no link between eating a lot of eggs and having an imbalanced cholesterol level or a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, claims a credible source. The study found that those who eat more than seven eggs a week may occasionally have increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, but this is almost always offset by a similar increase in high-density lipoprotein.

4. Exercise Makes You Smarter

Exercise is good for the brain as much as the physical body. It is believed that the advantages of exercise on the brain are caused by a chemical called irisin, which the body creates during endurance exercise. According to a 2019 study published in Nature Medicine, irisin levels enhance the expression of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), stimulating the development of new neurons and activating genes related to learning and memory. You might also notice an improvement in your capacity for critical thought as well as a drop in cortisol levels, tension, and mood. Verify that you are knowledgeable about the reality surrounding these myths regarding how the human body affects health.

5. Cracking your joints can lead to arthritis

Arthritis does not result from joint cracking. However, if you routinely crack your knuckles, as I do, you've probably heard someone tell you, "Don't do that!" at some point in your life. This person could have been a teacher, a coworker, or a close friend. They may have had good intentions, but I think they were just angry. You'll eventually develop arthritis. The bubbles swiftly fluctuate and produce that unique cracking sound when there are pressure changes, which is oh-so-pleasant to the cracker but frequently less so for those close. The bubbles swiftly fluctuate and produce that unique cracking sound when there are pressure changes, which is oh-so-pleasant to the cracker but frequently less so for those nearby. When there are pressure changes, the bubbles quickly fluctuate and make that distinctive cracking sound, which is oh-so-pleasant to the cracker but frequently less so for others close.

6. When it comes to your brain, use it or lose it

Maintaining mental challenges can help prevent dementia and cognitive loss. According to a 2017 study published in PLOS One, playing video games may enhance brain health and increase grey matter in the hippocampus, which is regarded to be the section of the brain responsible for memory and emotion in older adults between the ages of 55 and 75. Over the course of six months, people who played video games for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, saw improvements in their short-term memory as well as an increase in the quantity of grey matter in their hippocampus and cerebellum. The 15 components listed below may help postpone Alzheimer's.

7. Spicy foods may lead to weight loss

Food that is hot, spicy, and high in capsaicin may aid in weight loss. According to an animal study published in Bioscience Reports in 2017, the chemical compound capsaicin, which is contained in chill peppers, may aid in weight loss by promoting thermogenesis, the process of producing heat by burning fat. When mice were fed a high-fat diet, the researchers discovered capsaicin inhibited weight gain by causing thermogenesis in the body. Furthermore, even when fed an unhealthy diet high in fat, the study's mice did not put on weight. It's vital to remember that mice, not people, were employed in this study. Therefore, the conclusions might not be directly applicable.

8. When It Comes To Your Brain, Use It Or Lose It

Maintaining mental activity can help prevent dementia and cognitive deterioration. According to a 2017 study published in PLOS One, playing video games may help older persons, between the ages of 55 and 75, rebuild their hippocampus, the area of the brain recognized as the core of emotion and memory. The grey matter in the hippocampus and cerebellum expanded in those who played video games for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for six months, and their short-term memory also improved.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide a hopeful outlook on the correction of health-related misinformation, particularly health misconceptions, and provide insight into why and how people adjust their thoughts (or do not), as well as recommendations for diminishing beliefs in health myths. The results can be used by journalists, scientists, doctors, and many other actors to successfully communicate (online).