5 medical myths that are, surprisingly, still believed

Medical Adina Camarasu
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We keep hearing more and more things about our health, but most of them are actually myths. Below are some of the most popular ones.

The vaccine causes the flu and even autism

Although sometimes, after a vaccine, can appear sympthoms such as fever, rumours about the emergence of influenza are unfounded.

Regarding autism, this myth arose in 1998, when The Lancet newspaper published a controversial article. It was stated that the parents of 8 children suffering from autism came to believe that a vaccine against measles has caused the disease. A study started in 2002 in the UK, showed that there was no link between the vaccine and autism.

Vitamins make you healthy

Vitamins can not only be ineffective, but even dangerous, as some studies have shown.

For example, a study published in 2016 showed that some old women who were regularly administrated calcium supplements present an increased risk of dementia. Furthermore, researchers have found out that taking large amounts of vitamins may increase the risk of cancer.

Besides these dangerous long-term effects, there are also some direct effects in the short term. The body of a man from Pennsylvania, who took herbal vitamins, reacted as in the case of poisoning.

It is much healthier to take our vitamins directly from the food we eat.

Cold winters are the cause of influenza

This myth is common worldwide, but it is not true, for low temperatures do not make us more vulnerable to viruses.

This was discovered in 1968, when a group of British doctors had a few volunteers exposed to low temperatures. Even if they were asked to make contact with cold water, they had not been more exposed to a cold than before.

Moreover, the exposure to the cold air can, conversely, be beneficial for the body.

But there is a logical explanation for this myth: the cold and damp atmosphere allows viruses to spread more rapidly.

We use only 10% of our brain capacity

Regarding this myth, researchers have proved it wrong after scanning several brains, but the idea is so common because it promotes the concept that our potential should not be exploited.

Sugar turns kids into little monsters

It’s very hard to find a parent who does not believe this myth. A sensor positioned on a child’s wrist showed just the opposite: children given chocolate acted in a very discreet and calm manner.