There is something about a good old wives tale that really sticks in your mind when someone tells it to you. Often it is a cautionary tale like the 'don't cry wolf' tale so that you will be implored not to do something. But the thing is you don't always know what to believe and what to refer to as 'just' an old wives tale. Here are some classic old wives tales about health and the answer to whether they really are true or not.
If You Go Out in the Rain, You will Catch Cold
Not True - You can only catch a cold through a virus, and the fact is that viruses prefer it indoors because it is warmer. So in truth you would be safer out in the cold. The only reason people think the cold gives them a cold, is of course the name, and because when you come in from a cold wind there are more people inside in closer proximity creating more atmosphere for a virus to thrive.
Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis
Not True - While cracking your knuckles is not good for you hands, it can cause pain, diminish your gripping ability and make a noise others won't appreciate; it will not give you arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is a degenerative joint disease and can only be caused by damage to the joint, infection or old age.
Feed a Fever, Starve a Cold/Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever
Not True - This classic old wives tale is completely misleading for so many poor sick people. The truth is that no matter which one you have you should always take as much fluids as possible to replenish what you lose while sick and try and eat as often as you can as again this helps to build your strength and to give you nutrients and vitamins to fight off infection.
5 Second Rule
Not True - The tale says that if you pick food off the floor within 5 seconds it won't get any bacteria on it and will still be safe to eat. The truth is that no matter how long or short food is on the floor it will definitely pick up some bacteria. Bacteria is absolutely everywhere, even in stuff you're supposed to take like the best probiotics and health supplements such as Coenzyme Q10 100mg.
Even the cleanest floor in the world has bacteria on it so there is no amount of seconds that will save your morsel. However, unless you live in a toxic waste ground or a medical research lab and in fact live in a normal relatively clean house, you will be perfectly fine if you eat something from the floor.
Despite not believing many old wives tales Sam Qam still likes to keep topped up with the best probiotics such as Coenzyme Q10 100mg before going out in the cold.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Qam
