Even when certain ideas are scientifically debunked it can take some time for people’s long-term views to catch up.
You’ve probably popped an antacid for heartburn, avoided milk during a cold, or reached for aspirin to protect your heart. These seem like sensible health decisions—the kind of things everyone just knows.
These common beliefs shape what we eat, how we exercise, and how we treat illness or injuries. But while many ideas passed down have real value, some do not. Many longstanding health “rules” don’t hold up scientifically. Some are misconstrued, while others are simply wrong and may even be harmful.
Here are some common myths that need to fade away.
| 1. Fevers Are Bad and You Should Lower Body Temperature |
| 2. Taking Antacids Will Fix Your Heartburn |
| 3. Avoid Milk When You Have a Cold |
| 4. Taking Daily Aspirin Will Prevent a Heart Attack |
| 5. Doing Sit-Ups Will Flatten Your Stomach |
| 6. You Need Intense Workouts to Get Real Health Benefits |
| 7. Going Gluten-Free is a Healthier Diet |
| 8. Dark Chocolate is Always Good For You |
| 9. Running Can Damage Your Joints |
| 10. You Need to Stay Awake After a Concussion |
| 11. Swelling After an Injury Should Be Treated |
| 12. Most Chronic Diseases Are Incurable |
1. Fevers Are Bad and You Should Lower Body Temperature
For some people, the onset of a fever sets off alarm bells, and their first instinct is to take medication to lower their temperature.
However, it’s a myth that a fever should always be lowered, Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke, a clinical advisor at Alpas Wellness, told The Epoch Times. Fever is a natural and important part of the body’s immune response to infection. The increase in body temperature helps the immune system to fight off bacteria and viruses more efficiently.
Research has found that reducing a low-to-moderate fever may delay recovery, while allowing a fever to run its course may improve outcomes. For example, despite current medical guidelines, one study found septic patients who arrived at the emergency room with a higher fever had a better chance of survival and shorter hospital stays.
“For most adults and children, a low-grade fever is not a cause for concern and doesn’t need medication unless there’s a lot of discomfort,” Hoedebecke said.
However, a fever of 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, or a fever in infants under 3 months old, requires immediate medical care, he noted.
2. Taking Antacids Will Fix Your Heartburn
Heartburn’s fiery sensations in the stomach and esophagus often send people straight to the medicine cabinet for an acid-reducing drug. While these medications may help ease symptoms, experts suggest that it doesn’t mean the stomach is producing too much acid.
“Heartburn being caused by too much stomach acid is a myth,” Hoedebecke said. “High stomach acid can be a trigger for heartburn, but actually, many people with acid reflux have too little stomach acid.”
The burning sensation during a bout of heartburn happens when the lower esophageal sphincter—a group of muscles near the esophagus—relaxes, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. It doesn’t matter how much stomach acid there is since any amount can cause acid reflux, he added.
Eating large portions, fatty or fried foods, alcohol, caffeine, or lying down after a meal can trigger the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.
Antacids can provide temporary relief by reducing stomach acid, but overuse can lead to medication-induced hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid.
Too little stomach acid can increase a person’s risk of bacterial infections and impair the absorption of nutrients. It can also produce symptoms similar to heartburn.
Doctors can diagnose this condition by having the patient undergo a “hydrochloric acid challenge,” in which they take an acid-containing capsule with a meal to see whether their symptoms improve or worsen.
Since heartburn is a complex condition and can be a symptom of an underlying stomach or intestinal condition, people should consider visiting their doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment if they experience it frequently.
3. Avoid Milk When You Have a Cold
The idea that consuming dairy products during an upper respiratory illness will lead to increased mucus production has been circulating for decades.
Despite this longstanding belief, research has found no evidence that milk increases mucus production. However, it may make mucus feel thicker in the mouth or throat, which likely explains how this myth gained traction.
In an older study, researchers gave participants cow’s milk or soy milk and found that both increased sensations of thicker mucus but did not trigger increased mucus production.
Milk is a mixture of tiny fat molecules and water. When it mixes with saliva, which contains gel-like proteins called mucins, the fat droplets clump together, leaving a lingering coating-like feel in the mouth.
4. Taking Daily Aspirin Will Prevent a Heart Attack
The 2019 American Heart Association guidelines and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations no longer advise that healthy adults take aspirin every day to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.
Despite these new protocols, a January survey found that 48 percent of American adults believe the benefits of daily low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke outweigh the risks. Nearly 20 percent of adults with no personal or family history of heart attack or stroke reported routinely taking low-dose aspirin.
“Aspirin has a serious risk of increased bleeding events, such as bleeding in the stomach or the brain,” Hoedebecke said. “Aspirin for prevention is now recommended only for people who have existing cardiovascular disease or a very high risk of heart disease.”
Hoedebecke noted that in these cases, the benefits of taking aspirin outweigh the risks. However, anyone considering daily aspirin should see their doctor first to determine whether their risk factors for heart attack or stroke justify taking the medication.
