Top 10 Common Myths About the Human Body

We're all sick of hearing these same false "facts" that everyone tells us. They're all lies.
The Top Ten
1 Cold weather can cause a cold While cold weather can make you more susceptible to catching a cold, it is not the direct cause of a cold. Colds are caused by viruses that are transmitted through contact with an infected person or surface.

The reason that cold weather is associated with this is that people tend to stay together inside more often letting a cold spread easier round a group of people.

2 If you sneeze with your eyes open they will pop out It is not possible for your eyes to pop out if you sneeze with your eyes open. The muscles that hold your eyes in place are stronger than the force of a sneeze, and closing your eyes when you sneeze is a natural reflex that helps protect your eyes.

The eyelids act as cushions for the sudden impact, sneezing has on eyes. The cushion effect may seem very feeble, but it's really very important. Your eyes will definitely take damage if you sneeze with your eyes open, not necessarily they will pop out (which they can in extreme cases). I can't buy the fact that you actually successfully sneezed with your eyes open. You sure had guts to experiment with that.

Nope. Your eyes are held in rather securely by the muscles that control them. Even if people's eyes did fall out from this, the eyelid being closed wouldn't prevent it from being so. The reason we close our eyes during a sneeze is from an impulse down a nerve that causes the muscles to be affected. It is possible to overpower this reaction and no, your eyes don't pop out. I know because I tried it.

3 Chocolate gives you acne There is no direct correlation between eating chocolate and developing acne. Acne is caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, hormones, and bacteria. While some people may find that eating certain foods exacerbates their acne, there is no conclusive evidence that chocolate is a direct cause.

Sugar may cause acne as when processing extra sugar, harmful compounds called AGEs are released which are harmful to skin, so this may be causing acne. But chocolate doesn't contain that much sugar to be bad for you unless it is consumed too much.

Acne is caused by hormonal, genetics or when bacteria gets trapped beneath the skin. Chocolate isn't a cause of acne.

Chocolate can actually help with acne, I may be wrong though.

4 Shaving makes your hair grow faster and thicker Shaving does not affect the rate of hair growth or the thickness of hair. Hair growth is determined by genetics and hormones. When you shave, it may appear that the hair grows back thicker and coarser because the blunt end of the hair shaft is more noticeable, but this is simply an optical illusion.

It just looks thicker because the tip is blunt and your hair doesn't grow faster when cut.

I don't have facial hair. But "shaving makes your hair grow faster" seems absurd to me.

Is that why it looks as though I have a beautifully groomed moustache?

5 You need to wait an hour after eating to go swimming While it is true that swimming with a full stomach can cause discomfort, there is no need to wait an hour after eating to go swimming. It is recommended to wait 30 minutes to an hour before engaging in any strenuous activity after eating to allow for digestion, but there is no specific time limit for swimming.

As long as you aren't doing vigorous exercise you should be fine.

6 Reading in dim light damages your eyesight Reading in dim light may cause eyestrain and fatigue, but it is not a direct cause of permanent damage to your eyesight. Your eyes will adjust to the low light conditions, but it may take longer to read and you may experience discomfort.

In dim light the iris contracts and your pupils dilate to allow in more light. It may strain your eyes but it won't damage your eyesight.

7 Sugar makes you hyper There is no conclusive evidence that sugar causes hyperactivity in children or adults. While some people may experience a temporary energy boost after consuming sugar, there is no direct link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity.

Wrong. Parents think this because sugar can give you short bursts of energy as they are simple carbohydrates. But it doesn't make kids hyperactive as it doesn't produce THAT much energy.

Sugar does not make you hyper.
Commonly, this mistake is made because people link kids acting hyper with when they are hyper- when they are allowed to eat sugar. It is the excitement of being able to eat sugar that hypes kids up, not the sugar itself.
Some artificial flavorings or colours contained in sugary foods do cause hyperactivity.
:D that was fun!

8 It takes seven years for swallowed gum to exit the body Gum does not stay in your digestive system for seven years if swallowed. While gum is not digestible, it usually passes through the digestive system within a few days and is excreted in the same manner as other waste.

No. It comes at a regular pace as excrement.
And don't get me started on teachers saying that if you swallow gum, it will become a rubber tree. That isn't even POSSIBLE! It's just like saying the Earth is flat. There is NO EVIDENCE!

Even thought chewing gum isn't digestible, it doesn't stay in your system for that long.

9 Using birth control pills causes infertility Birth control pills do not cause infertility. In fact, using birth control can actually help regulate menstrual cycles and improve fertility by preventing unintended pregnancies that can lead to complications. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider about any concerns regarding fertility and birth control.

The pill won't cause infertility no matter how nong it's used for. It's okay women.

10 You should drink eight glasses of water per day While staying hydrated is important for overall health, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for how much water a person should drink per day. The amount of water a person needs can vary depending on factors such as age, gender, activity level, and climate. It is important to drink water when you feel thirsty and to listen to your body's signals for when you need to hydrate.

The only thing that will do is make you need the toilet more often. You only need to drink as much as your body loses and you will be fine.

The Contenders
11 Gum goes around the heart Gum cannot go around the heart. The digestive system and the circulatory system are separate systems in the body, and gum that is swallowed will pass through the digestive system and eventually be excreted from the body. There is no evidence to support the notion that gum can somehow migrate to the heart.
12 Instant noodles take two months to digest Instant noodles, like any other food, take a variable amount of time to digest depending on the individual's digestive system and other factors such as the presence of other foods in the stomach. However, it is not true that instant noodles take two months to digest. The human body is designed to break down and process food within a matter of hours, and the nutrients are absorbed and utilized by the body.
13 If you make a face it will stay that way Making a face does not cause it to become permanently fixed in that position. The muscles in the face are designed to move and change expression, and making a face is simply a temporary contraction of those muscles. The only condition that could cause a permanent facial expression is a medical condition such as a neurological disorder or paralysis.
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