best for HEALTH
We separate the fact from the fiction
We’ve all heard our share of healthrelated ‘facts’ that actually aren’t facts at all – from the idea that you should tip your head back to stop a nosebleed (which can cause blood to pool in your throat and make you vomit and worsen your bleeding) to the blanket advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, when individual hydration needs are actually based on a variety of factors. Here, we reveal the truth behind some of the most common health myths…
1 Myth: Vegetarian diets are always healthier than ones with meat
While there’s loads of evidence that fruit and veg are good for you, going vegetarian or vegan doesn’t automatically make your diet healthy. ‘Many foods that qualify as vegetarian aren’t nutrient-rich,’ says nutritionist Lainey Younkin. Sugary, processed foods may be vegetarian, but lack fibre, protein and healthy fats, and many plant-based meat alternatives are processed and high in sodium, which may boost the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. If you’re minimising meat, build your diet with fruit, veg, plant proteins and wholegrains. When you choose processed plant-based products, look for whole food ingredients, such as beans, peas, grains, nuts, soy or tofu.
2 Myth: To cut back on sugar, swap fizzy drinks for juice
Your average fruit juice contains about the same amount of sugar as sodas. Experts say no one should be drinking more than 240ml of juice daily. If you do, go for orange, which is one of the most nutrientrich kinds, says nutrition researcher Kimber Stanhope.
3 Myth: Migraines are just bad headaches
In fact, migraine is a neurological disease that causes a slew of symptoms beyond pain, such as nausea; dizziness; trouble concentrating; sensitivity to light and noise; and speech and language problems. ‘These other symptoms wouldn’t necessarily happen with a headache. A migraine is like a headache plus, plus, plus,’ says Dr Merle Diamond, medical director of the US-based Diamond Headache Clinic. See a GP for advice.
4 Myth: You won’t have allergies as an adult if you didn’t as a child
Allergies can strike at any age, says immunologist Dr Carla Ward. They happen when your immune system mistakenly identifies a substance as harmful, then attacks it, releasing compounds that affect your sinuses, eyes, airways, skin and digestive system. ‘It’s not uncommo
