Granny always advised not to read in dim light as it would damage the sight and to drink eight glasses of water to keep you going; even the physician said so, and we all happily adhered to them. Many of us believe in some ‘fact’ or the other and so do our doctors, but a study by two doctors Rachel Vreeman and Aaron Caroll of the Indiana University School say they have enough evidence to call these commonly held beliefs as no more than a myth.
Seven myths, including that we use only 10% of the brain, nails, hair and finger nails grow even after death, eating turkey makes one especially drowsy, mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals ( isn’t it pasted on the hospital walls) and shaving causes hair to grow back fast and coarser are some commonly held beliefs that have no logical explanation behind them but they are popularly cited in the media and even doctors (ignorantly) pass such information to their patients making a large number of people actually adapt them in their lifestyles.
I feel foolish now, when I keep a bottle of water besides me to complete the daily quota of 8-10 glasses of water.
Published in the British medical journal, the study is based on ideas and conversations heard on various occasions by the two doctors who were aghast to know that even physicians thought them to be true. When a carefully laid medical evidence was shown to such physicians, they were left in a state of disbelief.
Check out more myths here.