Education

Health Myths Debunked

health myths
0
(0)

Food and health myths have been deep-rooted in our society for centuries, people around us love to tell us what to eat and what not to and what food combination can kill us and we have been following these myths for years without finding their authentic source. But now we have the science to put these fables to rest, once and for all. I am dispelling following pesky food misconceptions, so you can eat with greater dietary freedom and pleasure, all in the name of better health and great taste.

Myth: Detoxing is Necessary

The body naturally cleanses and detoxifies itself every minute of the day, so extreme juices prepared from varied material won’t “clean” your body. Recently, a new concept of ‘fad diet’ has been introduced that includes strict regimes like Juice fasting and Master cleanse which restricts a person to consume only vegetable and fruit juices while abstaining from solid food consumption. Such diets can lead to severe kidney disorders, and because of consuming insufficient calories a person may temporarily lose weight but may suffer from long term complications. Instead of following these strict regimes, eat healthy, unprocessed diet every day. Of course, freshly pressed vegetable and fruit juices can be a delicious and healthy addition to your diet, offering an array of nutrients, but they’re not a meal replacement.

Myth: Eggs Are Bad for Your Heart

Eggs do contain a substantial amount of cholesterol in their yolks-about 211 milligrams (mg) per large egg. And yes, cholesterol is the fatty stuff in our blood that contributes to clogged arteries and heart attacks. But labelling eggs as “bad for your heart” is connecting the wrong dots, experts say. “Epidemiologic studies show that most healthy people can eat an egg a day without problems,” says Penny Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., R.D., distinguished professor of nutrition at Penn State University. Foods that are bad for your heart and contribute to arterial plaque include refined carbohydrates, commercial baked goods, hydrogenated fats and fast food. Genetics also play a big role in cholesterol levels and heart health, so check with your doctor about dietary changes if you’re concerned.

Myth: Chocolate Cause Acne

 The last thing any of us want is zits and acne scared face. A common myth that eating chocolate cause acne has held me from eating chocolates for years but recent studies has unequivocally shown there is no connection between chocolate and skin problems, and that some types of chocolate may even be good for us especially dark chocolate, which contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly eight times the number found in strawberries) and has also been shown to lower blood pressure and LDL (the bad kind) cholesterol. The only trick is to balance the calories from it with the rest of your diet.

 “Let’s face it, myths and misinformation are much more seductive than the truth. A balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise are usually the best courses for fighting diseases and staying healthy, and that just isn’t as interesting to people.”

says Keith-Thomas Ayoob, Ed.D., R.D., professor of paediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

Myth: Calories Eaten at Night Are More Fattening Than Those Eaten Early In The Day

Dr John Foreyt: “Calories are calories, and it doesn’t matter what time you eat them. What matters are the total calories you take in.” John Foreyt, Ph.D., is the director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

Myth: Microwaving Zaps Nutrients

This is misguided thinking, says Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Ph.D., R.D., professor of nutrition at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Whether you’re using a microwave, a charcoal grill or a solar-heated stove, “it’s the heat and the amount of time you’re cooking that affect nutrient losses, not the cooking method,” she says. “The longer and hotter you cook a food, the more you’ll lose certain heat- and water-sensitive nutrients, especially vitamin C and thiamin [a B vitamin].” Because microwave cooking often cooks foods more quickly, it can help to minimize nutrient losses.

health myths

Myth: You Crave Certain Foods Because You’re Deficient In One of The Nutrients They Provide.

Nope-unless you’re a deer or moose. (In the spring, those animals are attracted to “salt licks”-mineral deposits that supply nutrients they need.) Human food cravings tend to be more about satisfying emotional needs, says Marcia Pelchat, Ph.D., a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. “Cravings tend to occur when your diet is restricted or boring, or when you know that you can’t have something,” says Pelchat. “If it’s forbidden, you usually want it more.”

There is one nutrient deficiency that’s associated with cravings in humans: iron. But instead of longing for iron-rich liver or steak, people severely deficient in iron stores tend to crave things like ice cubes, clay or even cement. Researchers don’t know what causes this strange, rare condition, called “pica,” but some suspect that a lack of iron might somehow affect the body’s appetite mechanisms.

Myth: Milk and Fish Are a Dangerous Duo

 Our mothers, grandmothers and their mothers have all told us that drinking milk with or after eating fish can have harmful side effects, including a peculiar kind of skin disorder. There is no factual evidence to prove that drinking milk or having dairy products immediately after eating fish can be harmful or could result in patches or pigmentation of the skin. Scientists and doctors agree that eating fish and milk together does not pose any risk of vitiligo or skin disease.

Myth: Fat-free is Calorie-free.

Many low-fat or no-fat foods may still contain a lot of calories because extra sugar, flour or starch is added to make them taste better. Be sure to check the labels.

Myth Grapefruit and Cabbage soup Burn Calories

No foods can burn fat. Grapefruit has no fat, is low in calories and sodium and is packed with vitamin C. But it is low in protein, fibre and other vitamins and nutrients, which makes it unwise as a sole diet source. The same is true of cabbage soup, which lacks protein, vitamins and complex carbohydrates. Eating only one food may cause you to lose weight, but may also make you sick.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Most Popular

To Top