A few of the most common health myths are debunked in an analysis published December 17 in the British Medical Journal. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis found that several commonly held beliefs don't have sufficient evidence to back them up.
Dr. Rachel Vreeman, M.D., and Dr. Aaron Carroll, M.D., professors of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, in Indianapolis, Indiana, set out to show that mother’s medical suggestions may not always be the right ones. The researchers pointed out six commonly believed myths that even some health professionals believe are true.
The debunked myths include: sugar makes children hyperactive; poinsettias are toxic if eaten; hangovers are curable; suicide rates are higher during the holidays; you lose most of your body heat through your head; eating at night makes you fat.
The first myth scientists debunked regards the common belief that sugar makes kids hyperactive. It’s not true. In at least 12 placebo-controlled studies, children who were given different amounts of sugar reacted no differently than those who had none, report Vreeman and Carroll. Moreover in one study when parents thought their children had been given a sugary drink (it was actually sugar free), they perceived their behavior as more hyperactive.
Moving on to poinsettias which are generally believed to be harmful,according to the study, it is possible to become ill by consuming a large amount of the plant, but it’s rare, even in small children and pets. The usual reaction though would be vomiting and diarrhea.
As far as one’s wearing hats is concerned, people don't lose a big percentage of body heat through their head, according to Vreeman and Carroll. They write that "any uncovered part of the body loses heat and will reduce the core body temperature proportionately."
Taking in more calories makes you gain weight whenever you eat them, the researchers said. Studies promote the weight control benefits of eating breakfast and eating meals at consistent times. This works because it helps to limit the overall intake of daily calories, but it doesn’t matter when you eat, it’s how much you eat.
Everyone has at least one miraculous method that claims to cure a hangover, from aspirin to bananas to Vegemite and water. But there is no scientific evidence of an effective cure or method of preventing hangovers, the researchers said, despite many trials being carried out on both traditional and complementary medicines.
While the holiday season is a joyful time for many, it can also be stressful or depressing for those with family tensions or no family at all. However, research from all over the world, in fact, shows that suicides are actually more prevalent in warm, summer months, a pattern that scientists can't quite explain. While suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously at any time of year, there's no reason to think that this month is especially dangerous.
