Bhavya Sharma busts a few myths that we have been following for years
Separating science from the myths is extremely important. We keep reading about what we should be doing when it comes to health, but today we tell you what are we doing and believing, that we should stop. You will be surprised to learn about the wrong efforts that go into following some of these myths.
Myth 1: Drink at least 2-3 litres of water
The one piece of advice that you will hear is this now that summers are here. Drink as much water as your body needs. Not everyone needs 3 litres of water every day. If you drink more water than your body needs, it may cause water retention and you appear bloated. Check the colour of your pee to determine how much water you need. If it is colourless and without much smell, you are good to go. Even if you have consumed just a litre.
Myth 2: late night dinner is a no-no!
We have this often that a late night dinner causes a weight gain. You will be glad to know, that it doesn’t. The time of your meals doesn’t matter. Missing your meals does as it makes you binge eat. Just make sure there is an hour gap between your meal and your sleep.
Myth 3: Weekends are for catching up on sleep
Most of us have a crazy schedule all week where we miss out on our sleep. We think we can ‘make up’ for our missed by sleeping on weekends. It doesn’t help! The attention span and the levels of fatigue do not return to normal if you sleep extra hours on weekends.
Myth 4: Sugar rush!
Sugar rush is a myth. Numerous independent studies have proven that consuming large amounts of sugar doesn’t affect the stimulus of a child resulting in hyperactivity.
Myth 5: A poop a day — healthy bowel
Regular bowel movement prevents constipation but a perfectly healthy person may not move their bowels on a daily basis. A regular bowel movement isn’t necessarily a sign of a healthy (or an unhealthy) bowel.
Myth 6: The five-second rule
When you drop food on the ground and pick it up within five seconds, don’t be too pleased with it. Scientists have found out by putting the five-second rule to test that as soon as the food hits the ground, it picks up large amount of bacteria. Next time throw dropped food in the bin.
Myth 7: If you exercise, eat whatever you want!
No one thing can contribute to the all-round development of your mind and body. It is a combined effort. We eat more than we move around and our body is mostly made up of that. Also, fat people do not necessarily need to watch what they eat, thin people should too. Our body needs vital nutrients, which only food can give us.
Myth 8: Chocolate causes acne
Teenagers are told that chocolate cause acne. Chocolate is not related to skin problems and in fact, some of them are actually good for your skin.
Myth 9: Carbohydrates make you gain weight
Carbohydrates don’t make you fat, eating too many calories makes you fat. If you cut out the carbs from your diet, your body will lose the fuel it needs. A low carb diet is also harder to stick with in the long run and can’t sustain your diet plan.
Myth 10: Microwave radiation is dangerous
The microwaves are many times weaker than the harmful radiation that we keep talking about. In fact X-rays are more harmful than the microwaves and I see no one objecting to getting one done when the doctor asks for it.
Myth 11: Having many mini meals is better than three large meals
Every time we eat, our body’s metabolism does try to burn the food. So having many mini meals would account for more burning calories. But the difference is so minuscule that the effort put into this is not worth it. Each meal is an opportunity to lose control and snacking may not help. Stick to a comfortable routine that you can sustain.
The writer is Health, and Fitness Expert At UrbanClap.com