Like traditions, myths have been passed on to us for generations. It doesn’t matter where the information comes from – your roommate, a blog or the neighbor. It may not be 100 percent true. Dr Sheela Nambiar sets the record straight and busts these common myths.
Being in Cold Atmosphere will Give you a Cold
You are sure to feel cold if you are in cold weather, but feeling cold doesn’t affect your immunity. Any other factor along with the weather or your immunity already being on the lower side might make you sick. But by being in a cold place, one does not fall ill.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
If your intention is to keep away from the doctor, then blueberries have been found to be more effective. They are rich in anti-oxidants and extremely high in nutritional value. So, apple along with some other fruits may prevent some chronic diseases but an apple alone cannot.
Starve a fever, Feed a Cold
Eating lesser calories during a fever can bring down your body’s capacity to fight the virus. In earlier days, they believed that fasting would cure fever since the body wouldn’t need extra energy to break down food and this is untrue. Eat healthy the next time you fall ill, because the body needs the food for it to be converted into energy.
Milk & milk products increase mucus production
There is a slight thickening of saliva after drinking milkbut that does not worsen your cold or throat ache. In fact, dairy products that are frozen provide a soothing relief to a sore throat and at the same time gives you some nutritional goodness too.
Drink 8 glasses of water a day
It is said that one’s body needs a generous amount of water on a daily basis. But what we seem to ignore is that we consume most of it through food. Water is present in fruits and vegetables, tea and coffee are also another means to hydration.
Ice creams cause a cough or a bad throat
Cough and cold are caused by bacterial and viral infections. Most ice creams undergo pasteurization which kills the illness-causing germs. Hygiene plays a very important role in causing infection; hence if the ice cream is processed under such conditions, then the chances of you catching a cold or a cough are higher.