5 Health Myths That You Might Still Be Falling For
We’ve all heard of the myths, and it is hard to know what is fact and what is fiction when it seems everyone has the same information. That means that it is right, right? Well, we’ve all been bamboozled for decades on health myths. These myths can influence consumer decisions, originating from obscure studies or even the influence of a once-influential doctor.
Despite science debunking many of the myths that we come to know today, there are still people who believe them. Below are the most common and most persistent health myths that everyone needs to leave behind.
Myth: Exercising at Night Ruins Your Sleep
The truth of this one is it is simply not true for everybody. This myth came about in the late 1900s from a few exercise professionals that decided that exercising too late in the evening kept you up at night. When really, it was just a way to make sure people watched their programming during the day. Researchers have found that nighttime exercise may have no impact on your sleep quality and for some people can help them get better sleep.
Myth: Eating Eggs Causes High Cholesterol
The truth is, eggs have almost no effect on your blood cholesterol. If you believe this, know you are among millions of others who were influenced by the 1968 recommendation that adults should eat no more than three whole eggs per week. This means many people have needlessly avoided eggs over the last 50 years. Scientists have since debunked the idea have actually found that eating eggs can improve your heart health.
Myth: You Must Drink 64 Ounce of Water Each Day
The truth here is everyone has different hydration needs. You probably know the idea that you should drink 8 glasses that are 8 ounces each of water each day. This water intake recommendation stems from a very outdated idea. And by outdated, we mean it is centuries old. It was based on the idea that everyone should get exactly 64 ounces or 2 liters of water each day to stay healthy. The fact is, everyone has different hydration needs and he should address your water intake accordingly.
Myth: 10,000 Steps is the Key to Getting Healthy
Once again, the truth is, is just simply not. Walking is a fantastic exercise, but walking 10,000 steps a day is not enough to get healthy for most people. Exercise is not a one-size-fits-all switch and really makes no sense to blanket the general public with this recommendation. 10,000 steps a day is also incredibly difficult to reach for many people, especially those who happen to work at the desk.
Myth: Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis
When you crack your knuckles, it simply just release of gases. Now your joints may crack and pop, but those noises typically have nothing to do with the risk of arthritis. Normally it’s just a release of gases from synovial fluid, which is just a fluid that lubricates your joints. Now if you have any pain while cracking your joints, it’s worth getting checked out by a doctor.