10 Health Myths You've Been Told Your Whole Life
We’ve all heard them, and sometimes we even pass them on to other people when we really should know better. These myths about health and nutrition that you’ve been told your whole life probably make you feel inadequate or just downright confused about which advice to follow and why. Here are the top 10 health myths that you need to stop believing once and for all!
Myth 1: 'You Can't Get Sick from a Cold'
It’s a common misperception that colds can’t cause you to get sick. But according to Anne Schuchat, M.D., deputy director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, There are more than 200 viruses that cause cold symptoms. Be wary of washing your hands after using public restrooms and before eating food—the germs on your hands can easily spread to your nose or mouth. Stay home if you feel like you're getting a cold; it will just pass through quicker if you're not in contact with others who have been exposed. And make sure to cover your cough with a tissue when coughing or sneezing —you don't want to spread germs around where they're not wanted!
Myth 2: 'Diet Sodas Don't Have Calories'
False. While diet soda doesn't have calories from sugar, it often has other additives which can have calories and negative effects on your health. Additionally, research shows that diet sodas actually promote weight gain rather than preventing it. If you're serious about losing weight, cut out all soft drinks to avoid consuming hidden calories. Some people try to justify their soda habit by saying they are replacing a meal with their soda; studies suggest otherwise: Dieters who drink diet sodas eat as many if not more total calories than those who don't drink any soda at all.
Myth 3: 'Eating After 6 P.M. Will Make You Fat'
First, understand that some foods are inherently more fattening than others. For example, ice cream is much more calorically dense than a leaf of kale. It’s also worth noting that people tend to eat fewer calories in general when they stop eating earlier in the day. If you enjoy your nightly bowl of ice cream, don’t stress about it too much—just be sure to watch your portion size so you don’t eat beyond what you really need. Eat slowly and savor every bite so you can make better decisions later on if you decide to indulge again at night.
Myth 4: 'Vitamins Will Prevent All Illness'
We all have someone in our lives who swears that vitamins are all we need to avoid sickness. However, while they can't hurt (unless you have a deficiency or allergy), they won't cure anything. In fact, some studies suggest that megadoses of certain vitamins could actually be harmful. For example, one large-scale study found that men taking high doses of vitamin E were twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than those who did not take any supplements at all. For similar reasons, studies on other common vitamins and supplements usually show little benefit when it comes to overall health.
Myth 5: 'If I Exercise, I Can Eat Whatever I Want'
Exercise isn't a free pass to eat whatever you want. In fact, a study in Diabetes Care found that people who increased their physical activity but didn't alter their diets gained more weight than those who only made diet changes. In other words, if you’re not paying attention to what you’re eating, working out might make it easier for you to take in more calories without realizing it. If your exercise is sporadic and intense (think lots of sprinting), that can also cause problems—you won't necessarily be burning as many calories as you think or burning them as efficiently as possible.
Myth 6: 'Stretching Reduces the Risk of Injury'
The evidence is mixed on whether or not stretching before physical activity reduces injury rates. A 2010 review of studies found that pre-workout stretching was linked to an increased risk of injury. Meanwhile, a more recent study of college athletes reported in 2012 found no association between pre-exercise stretching and injury rates. So it's probably best to avoid too much static stretching in general—but if you enjoy it, then a few stretches should be fine. But keep in mind that research has also shown that strength training and warm-ups can go a long way toward preventing injuries as well (and strengthen your muscles, which will help you perform better when you do decide to exercise). So those are important for staying safe, regardless of how much time you spend stretching.
Myth 7: 'Yoga is Better Than Weight Lifting for Muscle Tone'
Yoga is a good complement to lifting weights, but it doesn't have any unique ability to tone muscles. When you do yoga, you're improving flexibility and range of motion, which helps boost strength and make it easier to perform everyday tasks—not necessarily building muscle mass. So don't stop hitting the gym for fear that doing so will leave you inflexible and frail! But don't feel like you need to drop all other forms of exercise in favor of yoga either; research shows that combining strength training with aerobic exercise (like going for long walks or runs) yields even better results than either one alone.
Myth 8: 'Standing Up Straight Means You're Confident'
No. Yes, you’ll burn calories during aerobic exercise, but it won’t necessarily help you lose weight. If you increase your activity level by adding a daily one-hour walk or running, say, 20 miles each week to your usual routine, you might drop an extra pound or two. But if you have a lot of weight to lose, more likely that number will be closer to 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms).
Myth 9: ‘Aerobic Exercise Will Help Me Lose Weight’
Similar to myth number five, lots of men think that being strong means not going to get help when you need it. It doesn’t matter if you have a headache or your shoulder hurts - to them you’re just an over-emotional man who is making a big deal out of nothing. But men are susceptible to a variety of health issues and shouldn’t be afraid of seeking medical advice if they feel something is wrong. If in doubt, see your doctor.
Myth 10; ‘Men Should Never Go To The Doctor For Any Reason’
Men are often discouraged from seeking medical help, whether it’s for a cold or cancer. What’s more, men are frequently told they’re too busy to take care of themselves. This is simply not true. In fact, there are many times when men might be at higher risk than women for certain health issues and need to pay special attention to what their bodies are telling them. [Men]... may need to go see a doctor for any number of reasons including but not limited to back pain, headaches, vertigo, or abdominal pains, said Dr. Hamermesh.
