{"id":37764,"date":"2023-08-26T00:30:55","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T16:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/?p=37764"},"modified":"2023-08-26T00:30:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T16:30:57","slug":"11-health-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/opinions\/11-health-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Health Myths You Can Ignore Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In the ever-evolving world of health and wellness, Sarah always thought she was ahead of the curve. As a teenager, she diligently followed every piece of advice handed down to her, from sipping eight glasses of water daily, to believing that cracking her knuckles would lead to arthritis. She took these health &#8216;facts&#8217; as gospel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, as she grew older and began to delve deeper into scientific research, she was astounded by how many of these &#8216;truths&#8217; were nothing more than deeply ingrained health myths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like Sarah, many of us have been conditioned to believe certain health-related narratives without question. But in this rapidly advancing world of medical science, it&#8217;s essential to discern fact from fiction. Some of the advice that has been around for generations might be sound, while others are outdated and have been debunked by recent studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we&#8217;ll sift through the noise to address 11 widespread health myths, laying them to rest with concrete evidence and insights from health experts. Prepare to have some of your long-held beliefs shattered!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#health-myth-1-eating-fat-makes-you-fat\">Health Myth #1: Eating Fat Makes You Fat<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-2-skipping-meals-helps-you-lose-weight\">Health Myth #2: Skipping Meals Helps You Lose Weight<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-3-all-calories-are-created-equal\">Health Myth #3: All Calories Are Created Equal<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-4-gluten-free-equals-healthy\">Health Myth #4: &#8220;Gluten-Free&#8221; Equals Healthy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-5-more-exercise-more-weight-loss\">Health Myth #5: More Exercise = More Weight Loss<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-6-you-should-always-detox-your-body\">Health Myth #6: You Should Always Detox Your Body<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-7-microwaving-food-destroys-its-nutrients\">Health Myth #7: Microwaving Food Destroys Its Nutrients<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-8-drinking-eight-glasses-of-water-a-day-is-mandatory\">Health Myth #8: Drinking Eight Glasses of Water a Day is Mandatory<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-9-cracking-your-knuckles-leads-to-arthritis\">Health Myth #9: Cracking Your Knuckles Leads to Arthritis <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-10-brown-sugar-is-healthier-than-white-sugar\">Health Myth #10: Brown Sugar is Healthier Than White Sugar <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#health-myth-11-its-necessary-to-get-8-hours-of-sleep\">Health Myth #11: It&#8217;s Necessary to Get 8 Hours of Sleep<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#time-to-lay-these-health-myths-to-rest\">Time to Lay These Health Myths to Rest<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1692950141763\">Is it true that you shouldn&#8217;t swim right after eating?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1692950232921\">Does sitting too close to the TV damage your eyesight? <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1692950238049\">Can you get sick from going outside with wet hair in cold weather?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1692950251073\">Does eating chocolate cause acne?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-question-1692950257080\">Can reading in dim light ruin your eyesight?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-1-eating-fat-makes-you-fat\"><strong>Health Myth #1: Eating Fat Makes You Fat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For years, fat was demonised, leading to a surge of low-fat products on supermarket shelves. However, not all fats are created equal. Healthy fats, like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, are essential for brain health and can even aid in weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amjmed.com\/article\/S0002-9343(14)00913-9\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> in the <em>American Journal of Clinical Nutrition<\/em> found that a Mediterranean diet, rich in healthy fats, was more effective for weight loss than a low-fat diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-2-skipping-meals-helps-you-lose-weight\"><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #2: <strong>Skipping Meals Helps You Lose Weight<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it might seem logical that eating less would result in weight loss, skipping meals can backfire. Regular meals maintain blood sugar levels and keep metabolism active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.excli.de\/index.php\/excli\/article\/view\/4324\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> published in the <em>EXCLI Journal&nbsp;<\/em>showed that irregular eating patterns could lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-3-all-calories-are-created-equal\"><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #3: <strong>All Calories Are Created Equal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s time to dispel this health myth for good. The source of your calories matters immensely. 100 calories from a sugary drink won&#8217;t have the same effect on your body as 100 calories from almonds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hsph.harvard.edu\/obesity-prevention-source\/obesity-causes\/diet-and-weight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Research<\/a> from the <em>Harvard School of Public Health<\/em> suggests that the quality of food can influence weight gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-4-gluten-free-equals-healthy\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #4: &#8220;Gluten-Free&#8221; Equals Healthy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With a rise in gluten-free products, many assume &#8220;gluten-free&#8221; means &#8220;healthier.&#8221; In reality, gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and is harmful only to those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3257612\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">review<\/a> in <em>Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology<\/em> stressed that gluten-free diets could lack essential nutrients if not carefully planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1.jpg\" alt=\"Health Myths You Can Ignore\" class=\"wp-image-37766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1-810x540.jpg 810w, https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Did you know? Just because a product is labelled &#8216;gluten-free&#8217; doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean it&#8217;s healthier! Some gluten-free products have more sugar, salt, or fat to compensate for taste. Always check the label!<br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.123rf.com\/photo_113941759_gluten-free-food-various-pasta-bread-and-snacks-on-wooden-background-from-top-view-healthy-and.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">123RF<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-5-more-exercise-more-weight-loss\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #5: More Exercise = More Weight Loss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Exercising is beneficial for mental and physical health, but it&#8217;s not the sole answer to weight loss. Dietary habits play a crucial role. Over-exercising can also lead to injuries and burnout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>J<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1728869X20300101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ournal of Exercise Science &amp; Fitness<\/a><\/em> reported that diet has a more significant impact on obesity than physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-6-you-should-always-detox-your-body\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #6: You Should Always Detox Your Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Detox diets have gained popularity, but our bodies naturally detoxify through the liver and kidneys. Many detox plans are not scientifically backed and can be harmful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A report from the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/detoxes-and-cleanses-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health<\/a><\/em> warned against the potential risks of detox regimens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-7-microwaving-food-destroys-its-nutrients\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #7:<\/strong> <strong>Microwaving Food Destroys Its Nutrients<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Microwave radiation might sound scary, but it&#8217;s merely a method of heating. Most nutrients remain intact, and in some cases, microwaving might preserve more nutrients compared to boiling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6049644\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Journal of Food Science<\/a><\/em> highlighted that microwaving could be one of the best methods to retain the antioxidant activity in certain vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-8-drinking-eight-glasses-of-water-a-day-is-mandatory\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #8: Drinking Eight Glasses of Water a Day is Mandatory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While hydration is vital, there&#8217;s no universal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/health-injuries\/how-much-water-to-drink-daily\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"37354\">&#8220;right&#8221; amount of water<\/a>. Water needs vary based on age, weight, activity level, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine<\/em> suggests an average daily water intake (from all beverages and foods) of about 3.7 litres for men and 2.7 litres for women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-9-cracking-your-knuckles-leads-to-arthritis\"><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #<strong>9: Cracking Your Knuckles Leads to Arthritis<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The sound might be unsettling for some, but there&#8217;s good news: cracking knuckles doesn&#8217;t cause arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jabfm.org\/content\/24\/2\/169\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> in the <em>Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine<\/em> found no correlation between knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-10-brown-sugar-is-healthier-than-white-sugar\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #10: Brown Sugar is Healthier Than White Sugar<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While brown sugar contains molasses, making it slightly different in taste and moisture content, it&#8217;s not significantly healthier. Both are sucrose and should be consumed in moderation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>American Heart Association<\/em> emphasises the importance of limiting added sugars in the diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-myth-11-its-necessary-to-get-8-hours-of-sleep\"><strong><strong>Health Myth<\/strong> #11: It&#8217;s Necessary to Get 8 Hours of Sleep<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/health-injuries\/running-and-sleep\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34587\">Sleep<\/a> is undeniably crucial, but the &#8220;8-hour rule&#8221; is not one-size-fits-all. Some may thrive on seven, while others need nine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4434546\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>National Sleep Foundation<\/em> <\/a>recommends 7 hours for adults but suggests paying attention to individual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"time-to-lay-these-health-myths-to-rest\">Time to Lay These Health Myths to Rest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Health myths can be persistent, but it&#8217;s essential to discern fact from fiction. Always seek evidence-based information, and don&#8217;t be swayed by every health trend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>After all, when it comes to your health, wouldn&#8217;t you want your decisions to be informed by facts rather than myths?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692950141763\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is it true that you shouldn&#8217;t swim right after eating?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>This is a common health myth. While it&#8217;s a good idea to avoid intense swimming right after a large meal, a casual swim is generally safe.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692950232921\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Does sitting too close to the TV damage your eyesight?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, sitting close to the TV won&#8217;t damage your vision. However, it might cause eye strain. It&#8217;s always a good idea to sit at a comfortable distance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692950238049\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can you get sick from going outside with wet hair in cold weather?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Wet hair doesn&#8217;t cause illness. Viruses do. However, staying wet in cold weather can lower your body temperature, so it&#8217;s best to dry off before heading out.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692950251073\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Does eating chocolate cause acne?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Direct evidence linking chocolate to acne is weak. Acne is mainly influenced by hormones, but a diet high in sugar and fat can potentially influence its severity.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1692950257080\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can reading in dim light ruin your eyesight?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Reading in dim light can cause eye strain, but it doesn&#8217;t damage your eyesight permanently.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the ever-evolving world of health and wellness, Sarah always thought she was ahead of the curve. As a teenager, she diligently followed every piece of advice handed down to her, from sipping eight glasses of water daily, to believing that cracking her knuckles would lead to arthritis. She took these health &#8216;facts&#8217; as gospel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":110,"featured_media":37765,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[888],"tags":[403,2308],"class_list":{"0":"post-37764","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-opinions","8":"tag-diet-and-eating-tips","9":"tag-health-tips"},"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Health-Myths-You-Can-Ignore-thumb.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb2Hix-9P6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/110"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37764\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}