We recently learned about 10 popular health myths that people tend to mistakenly think are true - like how cracking your knuckles supposedly causes arthritis, or that you can catch a cold from too much chilly weather. Check out the first set of myths debunked below:
Eating after 8pm will make you put on weight. If you eat high fat meals you'll put on weight, regardless of the time you eat them, so rock on with the late night snacking in front of the TV - just make sure the snacks are healthy!
Feed a cold, starve a fever. If this is something your granny or mom used to tell you growing up, we're sorry to say they were wrong. Eating something such as chicken soup when you have a cold will not cure you. The only thing that will cure a cold is plenty of rest and fluids while your body fights the virus.
Cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis. Apart from annoying friends and family, there's no evidence that repeatedly cracking your knuckles is dangerous, or will cause arthritis. The cracking is often caused by the snapping of tendons or trapped air in the joint, this is not harmful.
If you swallow chewing gum it will take 7 years to digest. Remember all those times you panicked or caused someone else to panic at school when they swallowed their chewing gum? You'll be pleased to know that any swallowed chewing gum will have left your stomach in the same way as other food, 30 - 120 minutes after swallowing it. Gum may stick to other things, but it will not stick to your insides.
Skipping breakfast is OK. The saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is actually true. Eating breakfast kick starts your metabolism and gives you more energy to start your day, break out the Coco Pops!
Believe in any of these? Tell us with a note below and look out for the next five tomorrow!