বাংলায় পড়ুন
We all have grown up believing certain old world health tips. Not only stereotypical Bengali moms, mothers all over the world ensure that we follow few health and hygiene tips without letting us know the valid reasons behind them. Isn’t it true? We understand. It is something, which your mom or even your granny made you believe or even any health magazine made you believe…not all of those are true.
Everything you may have believed to be true for years may be simply admonished by studies/ research.
We have debunked a few false health myths:
1. Myth: DRINK 8 GLASSES OF WATER REGULARLY: We are often told by elders that we must consume eight glasses of water on a regular basis to remain healthy. There seems to be little truth behind such statement, as everybody is different and might have different water retention capacities. Consuming 8 glasses of water depends entirely on weather condition and physical activities. Drink to quench your thirst as opposed to counting the number of glasses and cups! Therefore, the age-old theory is not entirely correct.
2. Myth: AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY: This is nice to hear as it rhymes beautifully. This is a rusty myth which you still believe. Apples are healthy and you won’t do yourself any harm if you have an apple every day, but these still won’t keep the doctor away if your immune system is not functioning properly and it is advisable to eat all seasonal fruits to keep your immune system strong. Singular foods can never be a substitute to medical care and a healthy lifestyle.
3. Myth: MINIMUM 8 HOURS OF SLEEP MANDATORY: We all need it and feel that we aren’t getting enough. But not every saying has logic and similarly not every theory about heath is correct. Several articles about sleeping for 8 hours have been published in many websites but the fact behind such statements is that everybody is different. Sleep varies from person to person and so does sleep patterns. There are people who sleep for just 4 hours and still wake up fresh the next morning while others may take 10 long hours to revitalize their mind and body. Google has a term form such heavy sleepers and it is called “Hypersomnia”. Therefore, its best to figure out what sort of sleeper you are…
4.Myth: SANITIZERS WILL KEEP YOU EXTRA CLEAN: Trash that thought. Sanitizers are becoming increasingly popular as a way to beat germs and are being increasingly used as a replacement for soap and water. Sanitizers containing less than less than 60% alcohol concentration are ineffective on most bacteria and viruses. Sanitizers also do not cut through oily dirt, soil or blood. For the alcohol in the sanitizer to be effective these should be washed away. Hand washing with soap is best advised before using the sanitizer. Sanitizers are not a replacement for soap and water; it is at best a supplement.
5. Myth: EGG YOLKS ARE BAD FOR YOUR HEART: Over the years we have been led to believe that egg yolk adds to cholesterol thereby increasing the risk of heart diseases. Egg lovers can breathe a sigh of relief as this is a myth. It is quite the opposite as eggs contain nutrients which lower the risk of heart diseases. Eggs contain amino acids, are rich in protein and essential nutrients which form part of a healthy diet. The egg yolk in particular is a rich source of Vitamin D which is essential for healthy bones.
