Rest Easy
Sometimes, the weird things your mom's been saying for your entire life turn out to be true. For instance, putting a slice of bread in your mouth while slicing onions really can stop you from crying. It's weird, but it works. However, the vast majority of old wives' tales — ones that your parents, your favorite auntie and others are repeating to this very day — are total nonsense. Here are 30 popular myths to put to rest right now.
If You Go Outside in Winter Without a Jacket, You'll Catch a Cold
"Don't go outside without a jacket! You'll catch your death!" If you've never heard those words, consider yourself…an outlier? Maternal figures everywhere will tell you that if you get cold, you'll catch a cold. But is there any truth to that warning?
Not so much. Colds are caused by germs, and that's it. The New England Journal of Medicine conducted a study in which two groups of people were exposed to common cold viruses. One group was exposed to germs in a cold room, the other group in a warm room. Both groups caught colds at about the same rate.
We've been told that boys are naturally more aggressive and violent and girls are more caring and empathetic. Experts beg to differ. Studies have shown repeatedly that, as infants, boys and girls behave in almost exactly the same ways. In fact, some studies have shown that male infants are even more affectionate than female babies.
The issue isn't that boys and girls are inherently different, but that we condition them to be different. From a very early age, girls are taught to behave in a "socially acceptable" fashion (meaning kind, polite and well-mannered), while boys are taught that they can play rough and be adventurous. Then, when those differences begin to manifest, we blame nature.
Time Heals All Wounds
Everyone has heard that "time heals all wounds." But does it really? What if you lost your spouse of 35 years in a horrible automobile accident? Or you were physically abused for years as a child? Given enough time, will you get over the psychological pain?
It's true that, given time, many emotional hardships eventually begin to heal on their own. Unfortunately, for people who have suffered great trauma, the pain can last for years. Often, the wounds are so deep that they can't heal without outside help. And some people, no matter what they try, may live with their suffering for the rest of their lives.
If Kids Eat Sugar, They'll Be Bouncing off the Walls
If you have kids, you know all about the sugar rush. You take your little one to a birthday party, they spend the afternoon eating cake and drinking soda — and by the time you get home, they're completely out of control. You vow to never give them sugar. Ever again.
Sadly, it's not the sugar. Many kids are just ill-behaved. Science has proven again and again that there's no link between sugar and mood. Further, ingesting sugary treats can actually leave you with less energy than you had before: Studies have found that subjects show considerable fatigue about an hour after eating a sweet snack.
MSG Can Trigger Migraines & Other Health Problems
MSG makes food taste good. And that's about all it does, despite crazy Aunt Sally's claims that it gives her a killer migraine. Many people are convinced that MSG (a chemical compound used to enhance the flavor of food) is bad for them, and they feel terrible every time they eat it. But it's all in their heads.
Unless you have a specific allergy to monosodium glutamate, it likely has no effect on your health or wellbeing at all. Science has repeatedly shown that there's no link between MSG and poor health — and, sadly, many studies have linked participants' "MSG sensitivity" to preconceived racial bias, not to an actual health problem.
Carrying Low, It's a Boy; Carrying High, It's a Girl
Pregnant? As soon as you start to show, random old ladies will constantly approach you, offering their predictions on the sex of your future child. There are apparently dozens of different signs, but one of the most popular is how you "carry." If your belly sits low, it's a boy. If it's a bit higher, then it's a girl.
Wouldn't it be amazing if it was that simple? You'd never have to pay for another ultrasound again! Just ask Grandma and she can easily tell you what you're having. Unfortunately, no two women carry the same way, and judging the sex of a child based on the shape or height of the mom's belly is completely impossible.
We Only Use 10% of Our Brains
There are thousands of self-help books, podcasts and online courses promising that they'll help you use more of your natural talents. Instead of just using 10% of your brain like the average bumbling human, they'll teach you to use the whole thing! Imagine the power you'll have!
Only, that old myth isn't entirely true. We may only use 10% of our brains at any given time, but that's because different parts of the brain handle different issues. For example, if you're trying to write a new poem, only a small fraction of your brain is equipped to handle that problem — and the rest of the brain will sit waiting until you need it for something else.
Urinating on a Jellyfish Sting Will Alleviate the Pain
When a jellyfish stings you, the pain can be almost unbearable. More than anything else, you just want the burning to stop. You want it to stop so badly that you'd do almost anything. But does that include letting someone urinate on you? We hope not, because it's not going to help.
The only thing letting someone pee on you will accomplish is making you smell like urine. When a jellyfish stings you, it injects venom into your skin. The only way to lessen the pain is to remove the tentacles, pour an acidic compound (like vinegar) on the sting and then use a flat object to scrape off the stinging cells.
If You Cross Your Eyes Too Long, They'll Get Stuck That Way
This is one moms just love to use. But you do know that they're just trying to keep you from making unpleasant faces, right? Unless you have some kind of rare medical condition, your face will never freeze in one expression you make (no matter how many times you cross your eyes, stick out your tongue or do anything else).
According to Stephen Kronwith, MD, PhD, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at NYU Winthrop Hospital on Long Island, "Children cross their eyes for fun, but they can't hold the position for long, and it's not dangerous. They'll see double, but it won't leave any permanent issues." His advice? "Just ignore it, and they'll stop doing it."
It Takes Seven Years to Digest Chewing Gum
This old wives' tale exists in many forms — chewing gum, hair, fingernails — and encompasses pretty much anything your mom wouldn't want you to swallow. And, really, who can blame her? Eating fingernails or swallowing your chewing gum is pretty gross (but it's probably not going to land you in the hospital).
There are lots of things your body can't digest (like corn, for instance), but typically those items easily pass through your system. Chewing gum is no different. Unless you're swallowing an absolute ton, in which case it could temporarily form a blockage in your intestine, it should be out in less than a week (if you know what we mean).
Bulls Hate the Color Red
Fans of bullfighting will tell you that bulls absolutely hate the color red. That's why the matadors use those red flags: The color just fills the animal with so much rage, he has to charge. In fact, if you've ever visited a farm or a rodeo, your mom might have even told you to avoid wearing the potentially dangerous color.
In reality, however, bulls are completely colorblind and are equally bothered by flags of all colors. The issue isn't the flag's hue so much as it is that the matador is waving fabric around. Bulls, by nature, are already pretty on edge — and they just don't like that guy flapping something in front of their faces.
Milk Is Essential to Your Health
For decades, children have been told that milk is essential for their health. If they don't drink at least three glasses a day, their bones will be weak and they'll never grow to their full potential. All of their teeth will fall out. They'll break every bone in their bodies. Most of us still believe it to this day.
But science says otherwise. Studies have found no evidence that drinking milk helps prevent osteoporosis or bone fractures. In fact, some studies have linked dairy consumption to a greater incidence of stress fractures, along with increased weight, certain cancers and other health issues.
Washing Your Hands Will Kill All the Germs
There's some accuracy to this one, but the science behind it is wrong. Washing your hands can help you avoid getting sick, but it's not because soap kills germs. In fact, plain old hand soap, like the kind they usually have in public restrooms, doesn't do anything at all to harm germs.
So, why does hand washing work? It's simple. It rinses the germs off the surface of your skin and washes them down the drain. It's important to note that water alone won't remove bacteria from your hands. Even though the soap won't kill those germs, you do need it to loosen them up enough to wash off.
The Five-second Rule
This is another myth that's told again and again, often by adults. It's usually along the lines of, "If you drop food on the floor, you have five seconds to pick it up. Germs can't cling to it that quickly, so it's still ok to eat." Blech!
Newsflash: That is not at all true. The next time you drop your Twinkie on the ground, leave it there. Actually, pick it up and put it in the trash — but definitely don't eat it. Eating food off the floor, no matter how little time it's been there, can leave you at risk for foodborne illness.
Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever
There's an old saying that goes, "Feed a cold, starve a fever." The idea is, apparently, that eating while sick will cause your body to generate warmth, while avoiding food can help you cool down. It should be noted, however, that the phrase was first uttered in the 1500s — and science has come a long way since then.
Today, no doctor would tell you to fast as a means of alleviating fever. It's not a good idea to starve yourself ever, but especially not when you're sick and your body needs energy to fight off germs. Consistently consuming nutrients, even if it's just a little chicken broth, helps you maintain the strength needed to fight infection.
Strangers Might Poison Your Halloween Candy
For many years (and still sometimes today), parents were worried that ill-willed strangers might poison their children's Halloween candy. Another story along the same lines alleged that evil people were putting razor blades inside of mini candy bars. There were even stories of hospitals offering to X-ray candy bars for free to keep the children safe.
These stories are urban myths and — as much as they lend themselves to the scary atmosphere surrounding Halloween — are patently untrue. Though there have been stories in the media of children dying on or near Halloween, no cases of strangers killing or injuring children this way have ever been proven.
Vitamins Help You Live Longer
Take your multivitamin every day, and you'll live a long, healthy life — or so the vitamin manufacturers would have you think. Still, many people buy into this myth because it seems so obvious: As we age, our bodies produce less of the stuff we need, so we have to replace it.
Unfortunately, study after study has found that, while these substances are beneficial in the test tube, they don't do much of anything to an actual human body. On the contrary, there are several studies that suggest vitamins are harmful — and certain ones may actually increase mortality. Just eat some fruits and veggies instead.
Working Too Much Can Cause a Nervous Breakdown
Medically speaking, nervous breakdowns aren't even a real thing. Yes, it's possible to be driven to the edge of your sanity. But what we commonly label as a "nervous breakdown" isn't listed as an official mental health disorder in any diagnostic tools from the American Psychological Association.
Often, the term serves as a catchall for any number of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Can working too much cause you to feel anxious or stressed? Yes. Can it lead to depression? Probably. But it's important to speak to a professional and seek out an accurate diagnosis instead of falling back on the nervous breakdown myth.
You Can't Swim After Eating or You Might Drown
The old wives' tale that you can't swim after eating or you'll get cramps and drown isn't actually true. Still, you've probably heard countless people say it throughout your life — maybe even someone in a position of authority, like a lifeguard.
The myth comes from an old assumption that, after eating, the body diverts blood from your extremities to the digestive tract, leaving you weak and unable to support yourself in the pool. While it's true that digestion does require extra blood, you have more than enough. Your limbs aren't going to fail you if you take a post-lunch dip.
Taking a Hot Bath While Pregnant Can Harm the Fetus
There are so, so many myths surrounding pregnancy — and it seems like everyone has an opinion on what you can and cannot do. Don't sleep on your left side. Don't sleep on your right side. Don't eat peanuts. Don't exercise. And definitely don't take baths! The water can harm the fetus!
Don't worry. If a warm bath sounds like a nice way to relax after a long day, go for it. The myth suggests that bathwater can actually enter your body and hurt the baby — but that's not the way the female body works.
Girls Are Biologically Inferior at Math
There's a myth that boys and girls are inherently good at different things. Girls, for example, excel in the arts and humanities. Boys are good at science and math. The fact is, every child can do well in math (or any other subject). The problem is that society starts to single out children who are "good at math" at a very young age.
Whether that's based on gender or some other criteria, it tells the other children that they're just not good at this particular subject and shouldn't even try. Researchers say, therefore, it's very important to praise children not for who they are but for what they actually do.
Shaving Hair Causes It to Grow Back Thicker
Little girls the world over are taught that once they start to shave their legs, the hair is going to come back even thicker and it just gets worse and worse as they age. The more you shave, the more hair you're going to have; it's a never-ending battle.
While it's true that shaving is a giant pain no matter your gender, it's not because your hair keeps growing back thicker. This myth comes down to the simple fact that new hair feels coarser than old hair due to the unworn edges. If you wait long enough, it'll smooth out and feel thinner.
Eggs Are Unhealthy
Back in the day, low-fat diets were all the rage, and someone somewhere decided that eating whole eggs was unhealthy. Why? They'll supposedly raise your cholesterol and cause a heart attack. In reality, whole eggs (not just the whites) are a cheap, versatile and nutritious addition to any diet.
Most people have heard that eating whole eggs is detrimental to your health. The idea comes from the fact that the yolk holds all the cholesterol and fat. However, the yolk also holds all of the omega-3s and lots of essential vitamins — and you shouldn't fear it. Eating whole eggs in moderation can be beneficial for your health.
Coffee Will Stunt Your Growth
Lots of people love coffee, including some children. In fact, in many cultures, it's quite common for kids of all ages to have a cup of joe as part of their morning routine. But in America, it's considered unhealthy. Not only that, but many parents believe that coffee will prevent their children from growing properly.
There's no scientific evidence that coffee will stunt a child's growth. It does, however, contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant. For most adults, a cup or two of coffee a day doesn't do any harm. But if a child were to take in all that caffeine, it could lead to issues such as dizziness or rapid heart rate.
Pull Out a Gray Hair & Two Will Grow Back in Its Place
If you're going gray, it's likely due to genetics — as much as your mom would like you to believe otherwise. For decades now, there's been the mistaken belief that if you pull out one gray hair, more will grow in its place. Unfortunately, there's just no science to back that up.
When you pluck out a hair, it takes about three months for a new one to grow back in and another three before it's long enough for you to notice it. The myth probably stems from the fact that, while you're waiting for that hair to grow back, several others have popped up around it — in a seemingly related event.
If You Sit Too Close to the TV You'll Go Blind
How many times did some adult tell you to move away from the TV as a kid because if you didn't, you'd damage your vision? Back in the day (like, pre-1950s) televisions actually did emit low levels of radiation that could damage eyesight after prolonged exposure. But today, that just doesn't hold true.
There's no evidence that sitting in front of a modern TV set, no matter how close, will damage your eyes. Today's televisions are built with shielding, so radiation is no longer an issue. It's worth noting, however, that staring at any screen for too long can cause eye strain — so it's smart to take a break on occasion.
Chocolate Causes Acne
Acne happens. It's unfortunate, but it happens. And the myth that chocolate causes it probably comes down to a simple case of guilt by association. Teenagers have a lot of acne, and many teenagers eat a lot of chocolate — therefore, chocolate must cause acne.
In reality, there has never been any conclusive proof that chocolate (or any other candy) causes acne. There has been research, however, which suggests that diets heavy in fat and sugar can lead to skin inflammation, which can make you more vulnerable to skin problems.
Cracking Your Knuckles Will Cause Arthritis
The sound of knuckles cracking can be alarming — but it's still not the sound of future joint pains waiting to happen. Your parents may have told you that the sound is linked to ligaments ripping. The more science-y explanation is that it's linked to the formation of bubbles in the membrane around your joints. Neither is likely true.
Studies have shown that cracking knuckles (which a full 54% of people admit to doing) doesn't appear to cause or worsen arthritis. It does soften your grip and can lead to the swelling of soft tissues, however, so it's a habit you should try to limit.
You Can't Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding
All the moms of "Irish twins" out there know this one isn't true. It is 100% possible to get pregnant again immediately after giving birth (breastfeeding or not). Every woman's body is different and how each woman will behave post-pregnancy is unpredictable at best. Though breastfeeding can delay ovulation, it's not a given.
Although fewer than 2 in 100 women become pregnant while breastfeeding, it's still best to play it safe. Unless you're looking to have another baby immediately, take precautions. Speak to your doctor about your options, and remember: Listening to old wives' tales isn't an effective form of birth control.
Eating Turkey Makes You Tired
Ah, yes. The post-Thanksgiving dinner stupor. Everyone just ate a massive plate of food, and now they just want to pass out in front of the TV. It must be because turkey makes you so tired, right? Not because you have 18 pounds of dessert in your belly?
This myth comes from the fact that turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can make people tired. The thing is, it doesn't actually make you any more tired than any other food. According to experts, the reason you're so tired on Thanksgiving isn't the turkey but the crash and burn from all the carbs.
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Source: https://www.smarter.com/article/old-wives-tales-put-rest?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740011%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=3b4f8870-7474-413e-aaed-873038f2e995
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