Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health

7 popular medical myths that need to go away

Spoiler alert: sugar doesn't cause diabetes.

Contributing Author by Contributing Author
December 10, 2018
in Health, Offbeat

Despite the remarkable advancements in medical science, a large number of myths still plague the world of medical science. Here, we’ll have a look at some of the most common ones and see where the reality really stands

Table of contents

  • 1 Supplements are always healthy
  • 2 You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day
  • 3 Cracking knuckles may lead to arthritis in old age
  • 4 Physical exercise is only good to build muscles
  • 5 All painkillers are not addictive
  • 6 Eating a lot of sugar causes diabetes

Supplements are always healthy

It is often assumed that if there is a deficit in the nutritive value of the food that is being consumed, then an artificial supplement can compensate and ensure normal functionality in the body. However, recent studies have shown that in most cases, the most popular medical supplements offer no benefits.

Furthermore, exaggerated reliance on these supplements can cause unpleasant long-term side effects. Other than being expensive, they make the body dependent and alter the normal functionalities of the body. Instead of consuming supplements, a person should aim at altering their diet and lifestyle to overcome the deficit of essential nutrients.

You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day

The human body is made up of 60% water and staying well hydrated is essential. However, the 8 glasses myth comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of some basic physiology. There is no real advantage to drinking more water than you need, and different bodies need different quantities of water (also depending on external factors such as temperature, sweating, etc). It also depends a lot on other liquids you might be consuming (such as soups or juices). So while 8 glasses might be a good ballpark figure, it’s by no means a strict limit.

Our body is good at signaling when it requires water. So essentially, you should “listen” to your body. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.

Cracking knuckles may lead to arthritis in old age

A liquid known as synovial fluid is present in the joints to lubricate them. When we crack our knuckles, the bubbles pop in the synovial fluid. This mechanism bears no relation or has no contribution to the inflammation in the joints due to arthritis.

Be advised, however, that while there’s no evidence that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis, it can be quite annoying to the people around you.

Physical exercise is only good to build muscles

A rigorous exercise routine doesn’t only affect the muscles growth and strength but also helps the bones in becoming sturdier, improve your blood circulation, and has a myriad other beneficial effects on your body.

Strenuous exercises such as brisk walking, rock climbing, running, swimming, and trekking also work to build strength in the bones and exercising regularly also delays the onset of loss of bone density in old age.

All painkillers are not addictive

Chronic pain affects over one-third of all Americans and many manage that pain through prescription medication. In the US, the FDA mandated potentially addictive substances to be labeled, and many other countries have similar labeling systems — in India, for instance, all medicines that are addictive in nature are classified under the category of Schedule H.

This classification is mentioned on the medicine packaging. Almost all painkillers such as Ultracet have elements that have addictive aptitudes. It is quintessential to consult a doctor before taking any such medicine.

Eating a lot of sugar causes diabetes

Sugar doesn’t cause diabetes — though the two are correlated. Eating a lot of sugar is one of the main contributors to being overweight or obese. Diabetes is caused mainly by lifestyle disorders such as being overweight. So while there is no direct relation between consuming a lot of sugar and having diabetes, there could very well be an indirect one.

Managing weight and maintaining a good and healthy lifestyle ensures that a person does not have increased risks of acquiring diabetes.

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. The myths and folklore behind Halloween’s most popular characters
  2. The anti-vaccine myths that need to go away
  3. Wild cows swept away by Hurricane Dorian found miles away on an island
  4. Snoring: Busting the Myths
  5. 5 Fitness and Health Myths Busted by Science
Tags: diabetes

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW