The cold and rainy weather of winter causes you to feel cold every year if you don’t dress thickly enough. It’s time to clear up a few cold myths and clarify which claims are true and which are well-meaning but false.
1. Being outside with wet hair causes a cold
Even if mom means well: colds are caused by viruses – and they do not sit on wet hair. Pathogens feel much better on mucous membranes when they are very dry. Result: legend!
2. Vitamin C is the best protection against colds
Anyone who believes that daily vitamin C supplementation has a major impact on the immune system is unfortunately not quite right. According to clinical studies, these dietary supplements have little effect on disease risk and progression. The required amount of vitamin C is usually taken with food, as long as there are some fruits and vegetables on the menu. Result: legend!
3. The cold makes you hungry
The body gets energy from food that is converted into heat. Of course, the body needs this energy much more in winter than in summer. As a result, the organism automatically reacts with a stronger sense of hunger to obtain the amount of calories needed to maintain body temperature. Result: real!
4. Snow only falls when the temperature drops below zero
Not true. Snow can also form at positive temperatures, but then the flakes are larger and wet. Also, snowflakes don’t melt right away. The melting process requires heat that is not available at temperatures just above zero degrees. Another fact: the drier the air, the slower the flakes turn into water. Result: legend!
5. Women cool off faster than men
In fact, women freeze faster than men. The reasons lie in different body anatomies: On average, women have 25 percent less muscle mass than men. Mass is very important here, as muscles with good blood circulation provide heat. Another feature: women are literally thinner, with women’s skin on average up to 15 percent thinner than men’s. Result: real!
6. Laughter keeps you warm
It sounds too good to be true, but it’s actually true: Laughing makes you forget you’re cold, according to one study. Researchers at the University of Zurich have even discovered that it is possible to withstand cold pain almost twice as long when laughing. Result: real!
7. Exercising in winter is unhealthy
Even though the cold weather is uncomfortable while jogging: If you do sports outside in the cold of winter, you will not harm your body. Exercise strengthens the immune system even when the air temperature is below zero. In addition, the body can warm the inhaled cold air so that it does not damage the bronchi. But only if you breathe through your nose. If the lungs still hurt, it is recommended to alternate the jogging session with walking. The running lap becomes critical from -15 degrees – then the icy air can irritate the alveoli. Result: legend!
8. Bitter spices heat up
Yes, but only for a short time. Red pepper and pepper warm the body from the inside, ginger also supports digestion. Capsaicin is responsible for generating heat when these spices are ingested. This, when hot spices are eaten, increases blood circulation in the body and therefore increases body temperature. Result: real!
9. Keeping your head warm protects you from the cold
The head and face are particularly sensitive to cold. In fact, you only lose 10 percent of your body heat through your head. That’s why keeping the rest of your body warm is just as important. Result: legend!
10. Laundry dries outside even in sub-zero temperatures
This can’t be true, can it? Here’s how: When there is frost, the laundry first hardens from the cold and freezes. Then a physical process called sublimation takes place. During this process, the ice turns directly into gas – so the wet phase is skipped. However: The prerequisite for this is dry air, as this can absorb more moisture. Result: real!