Myth: You need to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day.

Have you ever wondered why we so readily believe whatever we hear or read especially if it comes from a doctor?  Researchers decided to check into several common myths to see if they were in fact true.  The results were cited in the British Medical Journal and are now reported here to put a few misconceptions to rest.

Myth: Only 10 percent of our brain is actually used.

Reality: With all the current technology we have at our disposal this is one myth that can be easily tested and either accepted or debunked.  As it turns out, MRI scans, PET scans and other types of imaging tests have shown there are no unused parts of the brain.  This myth is NOT TRUE!

Myth: You need to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day.

Reality:  There is no data to support this suggested number of glasses of water per day. This myth most likely stems back to a 1945 data release from the Nutrition Council stating people need to consume 8 glasses of “fluid” a day, not water.  As we know, fluids are found in water, other drinks, fruits and many vegetables. Over the years it seems the word fluids has been replaced by the word water.  This myth is partly true.  We need 64 ounces of fluid but not necessarily water.

Myth: Fingernails and hair continue to grow after you die.
Reality:  This answer is very interesting. Most doctors questioned on this topic felt the myth was a fact. They believed that fingernails and hair in fact did keep growing post death. After some further research, here is the truth on the subject. Once a person dies the skin dries up and soft tissue (skin included) shrivels.  Nails and hair are not soft tissue and so do not retract. This gives the impression that hair and nails continued to grow.

Myth: Shaving your hair causes it to grow back faster and thicker.
Reality:  This myth actually was debunked back in 1928 when a study was done to compare areas of hair that had been shaved and re-grown and areas of hair that had never been shaved.   Hair that grew in after being shaved was courser at first but not past a certain length and was no thicker or coarser. The reason it appears to be thicker is because as it grows in it has a blunt edge on top but over time, the blunt edge gets worn making it less coarse after a while.
Myth:  Reading in low lighting affects eyesight.
Reality:  Reading in poor lighting will not permanently ruin your eyesight but it will possibly cause eye strain and headaches and temporarily diminish your ability to see clearly.

Myth: Eating turkey causes you to become sleepy.
Reality:  Tryptophan does cause drowsiness but turkey does not contain any more tryptophan than does chicken or beef.  The myth about the turkey and sleepiness seems to be related to the amount of food people often eat for Thanksgiving which is what causes the body to shut down and want to sleep.
There will always be myths and people will always believe them, for awhile.  Eventually, someone gets around to researching what either sounds too good to be true or doesn’t sound quite right.

By Christina Leon, Staff Writer