Health Myths Revealed

Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of
water a day to stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow
back faster.
These well-worn theories are among seven "medical myths" exposed in a paper
published in the British Medical Journal. Two researchers took seven common
beliefs and searched the archives for evidence to support them.
Despite frequent mentions in the popular press of the need to drink eight
glasses of water, they found no scientific basis for the claim.
The complete lack of evidence has been recorded in a study published the
American Journal of Psychology, they said.
The other six "myths" are:
* Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight
The majority of eye experts believe it is unlikely to do any permanent
damage, but it may make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing,
the researchers said.

* Shaving makes hair grow back faster or coarser
It has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair regrowth, studies say. But
stubble lacks the finer taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression of
coarseness.

* Eating turkey makes you drowsy
It does contain an amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep
and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken or minced
beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas is probably the real cause
of sleepiness.

* We use only 10 per cent of our brains
This myth arose as early as 1907 but imaging shows no area of the brain is
silent or completely inactive.

* Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death
This idea may stem from ghoulish novels. The researchers said the skin dries
out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair or nails.

* Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals
Despite widespread concerns, studies have found minimal interference with
medical equipment. [RT]