6 Common health myths debunked

Busted: 6 Common health myths debunked

Amanda Lim

22 Sep 2015

updated the 6 October 2015 à 22:28

1/6
You need eight glasses of water a day
This popular adage we’ve all had carved into our craniums is not true. Although we advocate water as the best beverage for your overall health, especially in the warm Singaporean heat, you don’t need exactly eight glasses to stay hydrated. As everyone’s body is different, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. You know exactly what your body needs, so even if you can’t chug down eight glasses of water a day, we’re here to tell you it’s okay.
2/6
Fat and carbs makes you fat
It may seem like an obvious fact that fat makes you fat, but it’s not true at all. In fact, fats are essential for a healthy and balanced diet. While calories are concentrated in fat, you will only gain weight if you take in more calories than you burn. The same goes for carbohydrates. Carbs are important, as they are the main source of our energy. Like fat, if its not burned away, the excess carbs will make you gain weight. The lesson here is to work with a health balance of diet and exercise; it’s all about moderation.
3/6
You’ll get a cold from going out with wet hair
You knew this beloved old wives’ tale was coming up. This myth originates from the common belief that cold weather would lead to influenza, but being cold and wet does not cause colds. You only fall sick when you are exposed to and infected by a virus. How’s that for science? Time to bury this outmoded idea six-feet-under.
4/6
Eggs are bad for you
Eggs are such a controversy. One moment they’re bad for you, the next we’re not getting enough of it. Eggs are an extremely nutritional food. They contain a multitude of vitamins from vitamin A to B12. Yes it is true that eggs are high in cholesterol, but it’s the good kind of cholesterol! HDLs (high-density lipoprotein) are vital as they help clear away the bad cholesterol (LDLs or low-density lipoproteins) from our arteries. Of course, too much of a good thing can be bad, so take everything, even eggs, in moderation.
5/6
Starve a fever, feed a cold
This popular saying can be traced back centuries when it was believed that eating food helped generate warmth for the body. Hence, starving a warm-bodied feverish individual was thought to be perfectly logical. However, we derived much of our nutrients from food. Having a good dose of antioxidants while sick boosts your immunity and helps you recover faster. Not to mention, being starved is an extremely uncomfortable feeling. Regardless of a fever or a cold, you should always eat and drink, and drink again.
6/6
Gluten-free food is healthier
The gluten-free diet fad is just another war on carbohydrates. The truth is that if you’re not allergic to gluten, you’ll do more harm to yourself by avoiding it. For instance, gluten is found in many whole-grain foods. Be it bread, rice or pasta, these whole-grain items are laced heavily with an array of vitamins, minerals and fiber that will contribute to a healthy diet.

Is gluten-free the best for you? Do you need 8 glasses of water a day? We pick apart some of the most common health myths that just won’t die.

If there’s an old adage that rings true, it’s “Don’t believe everything you read.” You can find dozens of ridiculous health claims on the Internet, and some of them do seem to make a lot of sense.

The Internet is not the only culprit. Although mum will forever stand her ground on her beliefs, she can also be misinformed of the science behind some health claims. Be it a fad or a conventional wisdom, there’s always room to be discerning about things we ‘know’ about health.

Before you rush to try the latest idiosyncratic diet that Gwyneth swears by, here are 6 simple truths about the most common health claims.

Amanda Lim

Photo: Getty Images

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