Every person
has some view, opinion or belief that they want to pass on to everyone
they meet. Friends, relatives and people you know often tell you things
that might not necessarily be all truth; and when it comes to health,
you must be especially careful about believing things. We have for you
10 such popular beliefs that have been passed on for generations! Read
on to find out the truth behind them.
#1. Wet hair leads to cold
This is
an extremely popular myth that you must have always heard from everyone
you know! But studies have shown that there is no direct connection
between the two. Although, leaving the hair wet when you already have a
cold, can aggravate the condition, especially when the weather is
chilly. You catch cold and fever mostly due to allergies or viral
infections, not due to wet hair 
#2. Reading in dim light damages your eyesight
Yes, your
eyes will certainly be put under extra strain when you read in dim
light, but there is no scientific evidence to show that your eyesight
will be damaged! You might experience itchiness due to dry eyes though,
but that is it. This is probably something that the older generation
made up so that we do not tire our eyes.
#3. You "need" 8 glasses of water a day
This is
something that you have definitely heard and read about a number of
times. But there are many of us who might just need 6 or 7 glasses in a
day! What about them? Did you know that drinking excessive water can
dilute your body fluids, bringing down the sodium to life-threatening
levels! The simple way to find out how much water you need is not to
ignore your body cues. Don’t force yourself when you don’t feel thirsty. 
#4. Special shampoos can cure split ends
Completely
false! No shampoo or conditioner can boast of such a miracle. Split
ends can be avoided if you take good care of your hair, and include
foods like fish, nuts, dairy products, etc. in your diet. But if you do
get split ends, then getting the hair trimmed every few days is the only
solution.
#5. Chocolates cause acne
All
chocolate addicts can relax and enjoy the deliciousness. The chief
causes for acne are dead skin, grime and bacteria accumulated in the
pores, or hormonal changes. Skin breakouts can be aggravated by
excessive consumption of oily and sugary foods, and controlled by having
plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. But chocolates, especially dark,
are good for your skin, being high in antioxidants and flavonoids. 
#6. Excess sugar intake makes kids hyperactive
Studies
have shown that there is zero truth in this theory. Do not be afraid to
give your child a sweet treat, with the fear of them turning the place
upside down! All that sweets might do, is make your child overweight and
tamper with their oral health, if consumed in excess.
#7. Body heat is lost mostly from the head
This is
another health myth that has been doing the rounds for ages. However,
this one needs pure common sense, which will tell you that you will lose
heat from whichever part of your body is left uncovered the most. So,
if you go out with your head covered and your hands and legs exposed,
then you will lose heat anyway. 
#8. Skipping meals makes you lose weight
False!
Health professionals stress on the fact that starving yourself will in
fact lead to weight gain. Skipping meals will only result in you
overeating at the next meal. Moreover, apart from leading to several
nutritional deficiencies, not eating on time and not eating enough also
slows down the metabolic rate. It is a well-known fact that a slow
metabolic rate is one of the main reasons behind weight gain
#9. "Low-fat" will aid in weight loss
Low-fat cream, low-fat butter, low-fat mayonnaise, low-fat cheese,
low-fat chips- basically all foods that you choose, thinking that they
will help you lose weight. These low-fat versions might be a better
choice than their full-fat ones, but they definitely cannot help you
lose weight any quicker. You cannot skip a full, nutritious meal to have
a bag of low-fat chips!
#10. You don't need sunscreen in winters
Most of us either get too lazy to wear sunscreen in winters or simply
like to believe that if there isn’t enough sunlight then the skin is
safe. The truth is that because the Earth is closer to the sun during
the winter months, we get exposed to the harmful UV rays without even
realising it! So, whether it is winter, rains or summer, make sure you
do wear sunscreen before stepping out.
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