At some point in life, you must have heard the phrases “carrots improve our vision” and “swimming after eating is super dangerous.” But… Do carrots really improve your vision? or Is swimming after eating that dangerous? We must admit that these are just two “health facts” out of many we not only accept but believe.
So, where do you really stand? Are you with the ones that believe carrots do boost our vision or not? Regardless of your answer, we are going to debunk the most accepted health facts out there with actual facts, of course. So, let’s put an end to these popular myths, and, please, next time you hear that agave nectar is healthy, try not to get a restraining order served against you.
Myth no. 1: Agave nectar is a healthy sweetener
First of all, agave nectar is far from being healthy. Secondly, it’s not 100% natural. Still, most people use it as a substitute for sugar, thinking they are going with a healthy and natural sweetener. Well, it turns out that agave nectar is not as healthy as some would think.
In fact, agave nectar is a processed syrup that’s even sweeter and calorically dense than normal sugar. Nutritionists say that agave nectar is actually made up of fructose, which is kind of the same thing as high fructose corn syrup.
Consuming agave nectar regularly can lead to fatty liver, as well as insulin resistance. Both of them could easily increase your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. So, agave nectar is no better than regular sugar. If you really want to enhance certain meals, try raw honey.
Myth no. 2: Egg whites are better for your health than egg yolks
You probably have at least one person in your life who thinks that egg whites are better for your health than egg yolks. This myth appeared when people associated egg yolks consumption with cholesterol. Well, it turned out to be just a myth.
In fact, egg yolks contain various vitamins and minerals that most foods don’t have (selenium and choline). On top of that, egg yolks also pack vitamins A, B6, D, E, B12, and K. Another thing that proves quite the opposite is that egg whites don’t even have half of what egg yolks offer.
Plus, health pros say that eating whole eggs may actually raise good cholesterol levels, ultimately benefiting your heart.
Myth no. 3: Carbs are our enemies
What most people should remember is that there are different types of carbs, and not all of them are our enemies. So, maybe it’s about time to put this myth to bed, along with those extra pounds you blame on carbs. The truth is, our bodies need those carbs in order to survive and thrive.
Carbohydrates are essential to fuel our bodies with energy. Plus, they are also an excellent source of fiber and vitamins. Oftentimes, the term “carbs” gets mixed up with “refined carbs,” and probably that’s why most people assume that all carbs are bad.
If you opt for healthy sources of carbs such as quinoa, oats, bananas, beetroots, chickpeas, and apples, you’re good; but don’t ever say that carbs are our enemies because they are quite the opposite.
Myth no. 4: Microwave popcorn is an acceptable snack in terms of nutrition
Ever met a person who doesn’t like popcorn? Yeah, me neither. After all, who doesn’t love popcorn? It’s the best and, of course, most traditional snack choice when you are settling down to watch your favorite movie or TV show. So far, so good, but the problem comes when you opt for microwave popcorn, which, shockingly, it’s not the same thing as old-fashioned popcorn.
Microwave popcorn is super processed, loaded with tons of sodium and fat. The worst part is that it may even contain diacetyl, a chemical used in the bad lining. This chemical is basically the one that gives microwave popcorn its buttery flavor. Whenever you crave popcorn, go for plain and avoid microwave popcorn at all costs.
Myth no. 5: If a product claims to be “gluten-free,” it must be healthier
Wrong! When we are tempted to buy products that are “gluten-free” or “sugar-free,” it means that the manufacturers’ marketing strategy is a success and not necessarily that you will eat healthier. During your next shopping session, try to count as many “gluten-free” products as you can.
You’ll be shocked to find out that there are many products on most grocery stores’ shelves that claim to be “gluten-free.” And while that’s super useful for those who have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it doesn’t mean you need to eat them, too. Why? Because most gluten-free products are actually made with refined flour, which is not ideal for your health.
Plus, chances are you’ll eat even more added sugar and fat because manufacturers are trying to compensate for the lack of taste and what better way to do so than adding a ton of sugar. So, if you don’t have a condition that might say otherwise, you should put those gluten-free products back on the shelf.
Myth no. 6: Eating high-fat foods increases the number you see on the scale
Not necessarily true… Just like carbs, there are also different types of fat. Fat that comes from avocados, dark chocolate, cheese, whole eggs, fatty fish, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, chia seeds, Greek yogurt, and coconut oil is super nutritious.
And there’s also saturated fat, the one we tend to consume daily. Bacon, beef, sausages, hamburgers, and cookies are some of the biggest sources of saturated fat. And it’s not even the worst since trans fats are actually the worst type of fats. Trans fats are linked to numerous health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
So, it’s not about fat itself but about which type of fat you consume. As long as you consume healthy sources of fat, you don’t have to be afraid of your scale.
Myth no. 7: The human body needs regular detox
It seems that nowadays, there’s a detox plan for almost everything. And while detoxing your body is a good thing, most people don’t know exactly what they are detoxifying from their bodies. Do you? Well, if you couldn’t find a clear answer for that, it’s probably because our bodies don’t really need regular detox.
Soup diets, juice cleanses, or detox supplements are nothing but money thrown out of the window. Our bodies are smart enough to cleanse themselves naturally. A detox supplement is not as smart as our liver, and, in most cases, it doesn’t need any help with its tasks.
Your liver’s main task is to detox your body by regulating chemicals in the blood and clearing it of potentially harmful substances.
Myth no. 8: Eating chocolate regularly gives you acne
Sometimes I really wonder who invents these myths… But no matter who that person is, it’s just one against endless research. Studies have shown that there’s virtually no link between chocolate and acne. And the amount of chocolate you indulge in has anything to do with acne, either.
Still, it might be a grain of truth there… Because following diets high in sugar and fat can indeed result in increased sebum production. But it definitely doesn’t translate to “chocolate intake leads to acne.” Still, we might want to highlight the fact that dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is better for your health.
Myth no. 9: Coffee consumption stunts growth
There’s virtually no link between coffee consumption and growth. Yet, some people believe this myth. And maybe they want to believe it to scare their children or grandchildren. Although larger amounts of caffeine can somehow limit calcium absorption, the impact is so small that its potential side effects are close to zero.
In fact, when consumed in moderation, black coffee (no creamers or sugar added) has a plethora of health benefits, including keeping Parkinson’s disease at bay, protecting against type 2 diabetes, and decreasing the risk of liver disease. And yes, you should know how much is too much.
Myth no. 10: Eating ice cream makes your cold worse
Definitely not true, yet most people still believe such claims. Ice cream makes your cold worse is just a myth. In reality, eating ice cream might ease cold-related inflammation, and it might even help with your sore throat.
Studies have proved that eating ice cream has no negative impact on your cold. So, if you want to have ice cream, you don’t have to wait for your cold to go away. There’s no reason to avoid eating ice cream when you have a cold. Go ahead and satisfy your taste buds with your favorite ice cream!
Takeaway
If the healthcare industry has taught us something is that we can point out different things that were considered normal in the past. Now, most of those things are actually myths, and maybe in a century or so, scientists will debunk others. Until then, it might be a good idea to keep yourself up to date.
Because even though we were raised with “swimming after eating is super dangerous,” that’s definitely not true. So, before making any assumptions, you could check our dearest friend, Google, for some information.
P.S.: If you know any health facts that turned out to be false, feel free to share your thoughts with us!
Interested in various health practices? That’s great because we have something else you might want to read: 10 “Delicious” Leftovers You Shouldn’t Eat Even If They Are Amazing