These Health Myths Turned Out To Be TRUE...

Top 10 Health Myths That Turned Out to Be True

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most well-known rumors, myths, or “old wives’ tales” about health that have actually been scientifically verified.

#10: Spinach Makes You Strong

If you grew up watching the series of cartoons based on the fictional character Popeye the Sailor Man, it probably left you with the idea that eating spinach will make you big and strong. After all, that was Popeye’s saving grace against his archnemesis Bluto. But while your muscles may not puff up upon immediate consumption of the green fuel, it turns out the Sailor Man wasn’t too far off. Research has shown that spinach contains inorganic nitrates, which reduce oxygen demand and greatly improve muscle performance. It also contains ecdysterone, a chemical with bodybuilding properties, which is used in nutritional supplements marketed as enhancers of physical performance.

#9: Chicken Soup Can Cure Your Cold

For centuries, grandmothers worldwide have relied on a timeless remedy: serving steamy bowls of chicken soup to their cold-addled grandchildren. But is this homemade dish a miracle-in-a-bowl or merely a generational myth? Science leans towards the former. Although the evidence remains somewhat inconclusive, studies suggest that chicken contains a chemical called carnosine, which may combat inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. Also, when the joint tissue in chicken bones is broken down, it releases certain compounds that repair our connective tissues, helping us quickly recover from an illness. While it may not be the miracle worker your grandma touts it as, it seems a bowl of chicken soup is one way to get you back on your feet faster.

#8: Swallowed Gum Remains in Your Stomach

As a child, you were probably told that if you swallowed gum, it would remain in your system for seven years. This myth is largely false. As gum can’t be fully digested, it eventually passes out of your system, pretty much unchanged. However, there can be some truth to the tale. Sometimes, gum can become stuck in the esophagus, posing a life-threatening risk if it blocks the airway. Furthermore, when swallowed in large quantities, it can create what is known as a bezoar effect, which is the buildup of any material that can cause blockages in the gut. This may require surgical intervention. To stay safe, it's best to throw gum out when you’re through with it.

#7: Heartburn During Pregnancy Results in a Hairy Baby

Heartburn is a common occurrence during pregnancy which is mostly attributed to hormonal changes. However, one old wives’ tale has long suggested that it could be due to carrying a baby with a full head of hair. Certainly, there’s no way for a baby’s hair to cross over into the mother’s esophagus, so this has to be false, right? Well… according to a study by Johns Hopkins University, there actually is a connection between the two. Turns out, the same hormones causing acid reflux into the esophagus also stimulate hair growth in the fetus. Conversely, women who experience little to no heartburn during pregnancy often have babies with just as little hair on their heads.

#6: Eating Late Will Make You Gain Weight

This rhyming statement is one that has left scientists conflicted for years. Some posit that a late meal could indeed disrupt your natural circadian rhythms and impair your body’s ability to properly digest food. Others believe that a calorie is a calorie, totally unaffected by the time it is consumed. Like many other theories, a consensus within the scientific community remains elusive. However, one tightly-controlled 2022 study seemed to provide some clarity. It showed that late eating significantly increased hunger levels in the morning and promoted storage of fat in the body, while decreasing its breakdown. This suggests that taking that midnight snack could, indeed, be contributing to weight gain.

#5: Drink Six to Eight Glasses of Water a Day

You’ve probably heard that you need to drink between six to eight glasses of water every day for your body to function optimally. This recommendation may seem ridiculous to some and reasonable to others, but it appears to lean more towards fact than fiction. In reality, when it comes to fluid intake, there is no universal formula because our individual water needs vary, depending on multiple factors. That said, the adequate daily fluid intake for adults falls within the range of 2.7-3.7 liters. While some of that liquid comes from other beverages, fruits and vegetables, taking a few additional glasses of water could also help flush out toxins and keep you properly hydrated.

#4: Exercise Makes You Smarter

Hitting the gym offers numerous benefits. It can make you stronger, increase muscle mass and help burn fat. But scientists say there is one lesser-known advantage to working out: it can boost your intelligence. One Canadian study demonstrated that regular exercise significantly improves brain function, mental stamina and memory. Not only does it sharpen cognitive skills, it can also help preserve brain health as you get older. Another study involving older people in Germany found that those who didn’t engage in mild exercise regularly were twice as likely to experience cognitive decline. This is thought to occur because exercise increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, and may potentially foster the growth of neurons.

#3: Going Out in the Cold Will Give You a Cold

Like some of the other entries on this list, this long-standing myth may not be true in its entirety. But it’s also not completely baseless. Influenza viruses, not the cold itself, are the true culprits behind the flu. However, frigid conditions play a role by fostering a conducive environment for viral transmission and survival. Indeed, the viruses replicate faster and are able to remain viable for much longer in colder temperatures. To make things worse, chilly air could significantly weaken the immune response in the respiratory tract, rendering us more susceptible to infection. So perhaps your mom was onto something when she insisted that you bundle up before heading out of the house.

#2: You Can Catch Up on Sleep Over the Weekend

Many people believe that if they lose sleep during the weekdays, they can just make up for it by snoozing longer on the weekends. For a long time, that claim has been disputed, but a 2018 Swedish study seemed to confirm its validity. The study found that participants who slept for five hours or less every night faced a higher risk of premature death than those who slept for one or two hours more. However, this increased risk was largely mitigated when they compensated with extended weekend rest. While aiming for seven hours of slumber remains ideal, this study proves that it is possible to pay off your sleep debt, one weekend at a time.

#1: An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

You’ve most likely heard this saying at least a thousand times since you were born. It first originated in the 19th century and has only grown increasingly popular since then. But just how true is it? While a daily intake of apples may not totally shield you from disease, they pack essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, all of which contribute to several health benefits. Studies have shown that the popular fruits promote cardiovascular health and can protect against diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. Moreover, apples also reduce the risk of cancer in people who consume at least one every day. It may not guarantee perfect health, but an apple a day sure can keep sickness at bay.

What other health myths do you think have some truth to them? Let us know in the comments.