Body Myths

I’m sure we have all heard a few old wives tales regarding the body but is there actually any truth to them. I’ve listed a few classics below that even I fell for until I done this blog 🙂

Knuckle Cracking

Many people crack their knuckles, myself included. Some do it out of habit or even to wind up an individual who gets totally grossed out by the audible crack, I am also guilty of this! Studies have shown that there is no evidence to suggest that cracking your knuckles can cause arthritis. The cracking sound is not due to a build up of air in the joints but as a result of nitrogen gas that can occur in the joint.

Chocolate causes acne

Thankfully there is no scientific evidence to say that chocolate cause spots! Whoo but an unhealthy diet and dehydration can reflect itself on the skin.

You should drink 8 glasses of water per day

Hydration is very important for overall functioning of the body but every person is individual and requires a different amount of water. We also get water from our diet too. I’m 5’3″ and I would not require the same daily water intake as someone who is 6’6″. So this one is not a true reflection on what should be your daily water intake.

Cold weather gives you a cold

Very cold temperature can hinder the work of the immune system but the virus comes from germs no matter what the weather. So that old saying “wrap up or you’ll catch a cold” really is just a saying.

It takes 7 years to digest chewing gun when swallowed

I must admit I believed this one for years! Whilst I don’t recommend swallowing gum it actually takes the same time to digest and pass through the system as everything else.

Coffee Sobers you up

It may make you feel more alert, which is the job of a stimulant such as coffee, but unfortunately you would be just as impaired as you were before the coffee.

Skipping meals = Weight loss

By doing this your actually more likely to gain weight. By skipping meals the body goes into freak out mode causing the metabolism to slow down as it doesn’t know when the next meal will be so it stores fat as a reserve.

We only use 10% of our brain

Even though I’m sure we have come across people that makes us question how much of their brain do they really use, the 10% usage is not the case. If we only used 10% of our brains we would be in big trouble!

White spots on the nail is due to a calcium deficiency

This is an old classic but not true. These white marks on the nail bed are just down to knocks to the nails.

Alcohol Kills brain cells

After a night out when that hangover kicks in you do question have I actually killed of any brain cells!?! No, brain damage is only possible if drinking to excess over long periods of time. However the liver can be highly affected by alcohol.

“Your face will stay like that”

I love this one, the ultimate classic myth. As kids we all twigged on that this one was just used as a deterrent to try to stop us from pulling faces!