Today there is a lot of information regarding the habits that help us maintain good health . The problem is that beliefs that are still believed to be facts and that have no refutation are also often spread, which could even in some way harm our health.
Discover 7 facts that you thought were true until now, but that really are not, since they are just myths that have been passed down from generation to generation.
7 myths about health that were believed to be real
1. Drink 8 glasses of water a day
Drinking water is essential to maintaining good health, there is no question about that. However drinking 8 glasses of water a day is a myth. It is not about drinking only water, since it is not the only source of hydration that exists. Water is also found in the food and beverages that we consume daily, and it is impossible to say how much water is the exact amount that each person needs, since it depends on their metabolism, in addition to environmental conditions and the physical activity they perform.
2. Dry your hair before going outside
The only thing you get if you go outside with wet hair is cold, you are not likely to get sick from the cold, the only way to catch a cold or flu is to come into contact with the virus that causes the disease. Cold and flu viruses are more prevalent in winter, possibly due to the dry winter air, which causes the mucous membranes of the nose to become dehydrated and helps viruses more easily invade your system. Not drying your hair has zero impact on exposure to a virus.
3. Go to the bathroom at least once a day
Going to the bathroom to have a bowel movement once a day can be very normal for some people, but it is not for everyone. It all depends on the amount of liquid you consume, the fiber, etc.
Most people go once a day, however some perfectly healthy people go more or less often. You only need to worry if your bowel movements come with pain or bleeding or if the consistency is harder or softer than normal.
4. You need to sleep at least 8 hours
Again, this rule does not suit everyone. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night. This range is normal for good physical and mental functioning, although there may be many people who need even less sleep to function well.
5. You need to detox your body regularly
Your body needs to detox, that’s why we have a liver , which performs this process. Some of the marketed body detox products may be harmless, however there are others that can deprive your body of important nutrients .
The best thing you can do is let your body go through its natural process, and the best thing you can do to help it is:
- Do not eat in excess.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke.
- Do not consume too much red meat, refined grains, sugars or saturated fat.
6 Avoid consuming carbohydrates
Carbohydrates have had a bad rap for years, yet they are not your enemy. Carbohydrates do not make you fat, eating too much is what causes your fat percentage to increase. Humans are omnivores, so there are thousands of ways to meet their nutritional needs.
7. You must wash with antibacterial soap and disinfectants
A recent study revealed that there are no big differences between a bar of soap and the typical disinfectant liquid that many people carry with them everywhere to fight bacteria present in different places.
Reference
- BodyRock, 7 Things You Always Thought Were Healthy – But Actually Aren’t. For Bodyrock [Revised December 2015]
