Healthy Myths Busted

There are all kinds of health and wellness myths we are taught during our childhood. Going into adulthood, we just took what mom and dad told us as true. These myths that we grew up on, eventually become do’s and don’ts for us to follow throughout our lives.

Do any of these bring back memories:

• Always wear a coat so you won’t catch a cold.
• Cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis.
• Never swim immediately after eating.
• Swallow a watermelon seed and a watermelon will grow in your stomach

Well, I decided to do some research to find out what we were taught growing up is just a myth and what is true.

Being Cold Gives You a Cold

Remember your mom yelling out to you, “Come inside before you catch a cold”? I don’t often say this, but mom was wrong. Spending too much time in the cold air doesn’t make you sick. One study found that healthy men who spent several hours in temperatures just above freezing had an increase in healthy, virus-fighting activity in their immune systems.

In fact, you’re more likely to get sick indoors, where germs are easily passed. So instead of covering yourself in thick coats while outdoors, be more mindful about covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze when indoors.

Cracking Your Joints Causes Arthritis

It’s a habit many have; popping your knuckles or cracking your neck for relief. The sound might annoy people around you, but that’s about all the harm it does. The popping noise is a gas bubble that forms between the joints and eventually bursts. Studies show it doesn’t cause or play a role in arthritis. But, if you feel regular or severe pain when you pop your knuckles or crack your neck, see your doctor.

Drinking Coffee is Unhealthy

Good news my coffee loving friends, coffee is healthy! Although many health critics tell you to avoid coffee consumption due negative side effects of too much caffeine, they tend to leave out the benefits that coffee can bring to your body:

●     Lowered risk of depression

●     Lowered risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

●     Studies show coffee drinkers live longer than non-coffee drinkers

●     Loaded with antioxidants, outranking most fruits and vegetables

What can make coffee unhealthy is loading it with fancy creams and sugars. As always, enjoy in moderation.

Don’t Sleep After a Concussion

Concussions are indeed dangerous and can be scary if ever experienced. But don’t be fooled by the myth that you can’t sleep after getting a concussion. A recent study shows that it is safe to go to sleep after getting concussed, as long as you aren’t showing any other signs of trauma, such as slurred speech, numbness, persistent vomiting, or dilated pupils. All head injuries should be evaluated by a doctor, but for mild concussions that don’t show any other symptoms, sleep can help you recover a little bit quicker.

Wait an Hour After Eating Before You Swim

This myth has ruined many summer pool parties for kids for years. Recently, I learned that it's simply not true. An episode of someone drowning because of a full stomach has never been medically documented.

There is a possibility that you could develop cramps while swimming with a full stomach, but a person swimming in a pool or controlled swimming area could easily exit the water if this happens. As with any exercise after eating, swimming right after a big meal might be uncomfortable, but it should not lead to drowning. 

Myth busting is a lot of fun. I’m still not sure if I’m going to tell my momma she has been wrong all these years. What are some quirky old wives tales you were told growing up that you’ve been able to bust?