Egg raises cholesterol, floss protects against cavities, salt is harmful to health: All these wisdoms have been with us since childhood. But what about these health myths?
1. Floss is good for your teeth
Recommended for over 30 years daily floss to use. Now it turns out that studies on this subject are extremely dubious.
Ironically, starting in 1979, triggering the worldwide trend with its official advice, the US medical authorities agreed, after an official request and a comparison of 25 studies: In fact, it should be deleted.
2. Eggs raise cholesterol levels
Never more than two eggs per week – otherwise it will be dangerous for the cholesterol level. This popular belief has remained intact for years. Scientists from the British University of Surrey ate two eggs for breakfast every day for eight weeks. Conclusion: no negative effect on cholesterol levels.
This is because of our metabolism. The human body produces cholesterol itself. If a healthy person eats more cholesterol than the body needs, it regulates it itself: absorption in the intestine is stopped and excess cholesterol is excreted again. This keeps the cholesterol level in the green.
3. Spinach and muscles
The terror of our childhood: spinach. “Makes you big and strong” is what parents mean to you from an early age.
According to a study done in Sweden, if you eat a lot of spinach vegetables, you will actually have stronger muscles. However, spinach shouldn’t come from a can — Popeye’s tendency to devour it. Green leafy vegetables should be eaten fresh and unheated.
4. Do not go swimming after a meal
Everyone knows the rule not to go swimming for two hours after a meal. Because it threatens painful death by drowning. This is not true. You don’t need any scientific proof for this. You don’t die after running.
After a meal, the body gets a little tired as it focuses on digestion. So there is no official connection between eating and choking.
5. Drink two liters of water a day
It’s pretty obvious that people need a lot of fluids. Two liters a day is the rule of thumb. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the form of water. Fruit, vegetables, and dairy products also contain liquid.
Excess water can also harm the body. If you have a normal sense of thirst, you automatically drink enough fluids.
6. Coffee dehydrates the body
Good news for all coffee addicts: This is not true! Caffeine has only a diuretic effect. In other words, if you drink a lot of coffee, you need to go to the bathroom more often. That’s why you need to drink more fluids.
7. Heart stops when jumping into cold water
This is not true. A healthy heart can withstand cold water. Otherwise, it is not recommended to take a cold bath after the sauna session. But Finns do it like a sport and as we all know they are still alive.
Only people with vascular and heart disease need to be careful: however, you should avoid sudden changes in temperature, as it can put too much pressure on the heart and circulatory system.
8. Salt is unhealthy
Is too much salt in food harmful? Researchers argue about this thesis. Many doctors believe that too much salt increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. But some also believe that a diet too low in salt is unhealthy.
There are some studies that show that participants low in salt are more likely to have strokes and heart attacks. This may be because when you consume too little salt, your body releases hormones that increase blood pressure.
9. Cola and pretzels are good for stomach flu
When the stomach turns, the body loses a lot of fluids and minerals. They must be returned quickly. But pretzels and cola aren’t ideal for this: The caffeine in cola can make diarrhea worse, especially in children.
Too much sugar deprives the body of even more water and potassium. Lightly sweetened teas and electrolyte solutions from the pharmacy are more suitable.
Pretzel sticks don’t do much either, rusks help the body regain strength.
10. A schnapps is good for digestion
We’d all like to believe this, but that’s not true at all: alcohol inhibits digestion. It just keeps the liver from digesting and even inhibits gastric emptying.
If you feel full, it makes sense to take a walk or drink a hot cup of tea. Of course, eating moderately also helps as a preventative.
11. Dark chocolate won’t make you fat
Unfortunately this is not true. No matter how dark chocolate is, it primarily consists of cocoa butter, sugar and cocoa mass.
Unlike milk chocolate, dark chocolate is dairy-free and therefore lactose-free and usually has less added sugar. Due to its high fat content, the calorie count is certainly comparable to sweet milk chocolate.