It’s that time again: New Year’s and all that resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise and so on. No matter what kind of “diet” or lifestyle changes you’re attempting, here are some truths about health care myths that have been drilled into our head.Don’t cut off the bread crust because it’s full of vitamins.German researchers found that the baking process produces a cancer-fighting antioxidant in bread that is eight times more abundant in the crust than in the crumb. But it’s more important to eat 100 percent whole-wheat bread, with or without crust, because it’s higher in nutrition. Breads labeled “wheat” are usually made with a mixture of enriched white flour and whole-wheat flour and have less fiber.Go outside with wet hair and catch a cold.You will feel the cold but studies have found that wet hair and cold temperatures do not equal common colds.Feed a cold and starve a fever.Drink is important in both situations. Eat, drink and drink some more. Staying hydrated is most important because people lose fluids when they’re ill. Special beverages like Gatorade aren’t necessary, unless you’re severely dehydrated.An apple a day keeps the doctor away.A handful of blueberries will keep the doctor away more effectively. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and fiber – just toss them in your cereal or yogurt or on your pancakes – or just eat them plain. Blueberries are a nutritional goldmine. That said, apples are good, too. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies to combat chronic illness like heart disease and diabetes.75 percent of your body heat is lost through your head.The reference was probably about an infant’s head, which is a greater percentage of the body than an adult head. It’s important to cover an infant’s head in the cold – one reason they often have caps on newborns in the hospital. For adults, however, the amount of heat that escapes is around 10 percent. Heat escapes from all areas of the body in some way so put on your gloves, too.Warm milk helps you fall asleep.Milk does contain small amounts of tryptophan but to get any sleep effect, you’d have to drink gallons. That’s not to say that a nice warm glass of milk wouldn’t relax you – at least mentally.Eating fish makes you smart.Fish, especially oily fish like salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic (DHA), which is beneficial in the development of the brain during the first two years of life. A 2008 study showed an increase in vocabulary and comprehension for 4-year-olds who took daily DHA supplements. Avocados and walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.You shouldn’t swim for an hour after eating.The blood flows to the digestive system, away from the muscles, after you eat. The thinking behind this old myth is that if you exercised right after eating, the lack of blood flow could cause you to cramp and drown. Swimming laps could be tougher because of less energy after eating, but, despite mom’s warnings, you won’t drown.Source: CNN Health
