LONDON - 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 on Friday in the British Medical Journal, which
traditionally carries light-hearted features in its Christmas
edition.
Two US 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
are 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.
The research was conducted by Aaron Carroll, an assistant professor
of paediatrics at the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, and
Rachel Vreeman, fellow in children's health services research at
Indiana University School of Medicine.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20071221-42080.html