Does Plucking a Gray Hair Make More Grow? And More Old Wives Tales That Are Fake
Does Plucking a Gray Hair Make More Grow? And More Old Wives Tales That Are Fake
Depending on when you grew up, where you're from, and the kind of tales spun by your parents and the other kids on the playground, you probably know a few old wives tales. Those stories that we learn when we're too young to really question them and just accept as facts come from a wide array of sources. Some stem from little-understood or outdated science, others from folklore that's passed on like an inter-generational game of telephone. Many old wives tales, like admonishing kids to spit out their gum instead of swallowing it so it didn't stay in their stomachs, were at least originally intended to keep kids safe from harm. And let's face it, a lot of us still believe these tall tales well into adulthood, even if we can't quite explain their scientific basis. Well, we're here to help you with that.
We've dug into a few of the most pervasive old wives tales and figured out which are real, which are bogus, and where the heck they came from in the first place. So go ahead, swallow your gum, pluck out your gray hairs, and hit the pool after lunch with wild abandon. Those – and many others – are perfectly harmless.
1) Swimming After Eating Will Give You Debilitating Cramps
No, you won't drown if you don't wait at least 30 minutes before jumping in the pool. The doctors at Duke Health say the science behind this tall tale is all wet. While the body does send extra blood to aid in digestion, it's not enough to keep your arm and leg muscles from functioning. You might get a small cramp, but nothing fatal. Pour one out for all those lost swimming minutes.
2) Chewing Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years
While it's true that the human body can't digest chewing gum, it doesn't really get stuck in your body. The Mayo Clinic reassures us that it passes through your system more or less intact and comes out the other end. That still doesn't mean you should swallow it, but accidentally doing so now and then won't hurt.
3) Human Urine Heals Jellyfish Stings
If you or one of your loved ones gets stung by a jellyfish, don't use this mythical healing technique. Peeing on a jellyfish sting won't make it feel better. Instead, The Mayo Clinic recommends removing the stinger with fine-tipped tweezers and soaking the affected area in hot water, or taking a hot shower, for 20–45 minutes.
4) Coffee Stunts Your Growth
Not only does coffee not stunt your growth, most people start drinking it after they're finished growing since its bitter taste doesn't usually appeal to kids. Harvard Medical School explains that the misconception comes from the idea that coffee causes osteoporosis. We now know there's no link between the two.
5) Plucking Gray Hairs Will Make Two More Grow In
Each hair follicle only contains one hair, so plucking them will not cause more to grow, explains UAMS Health's Shaskank Kraleti, M.D. If you just can't stand the sight of gray hairs, trim them close to the scalp instead of plucking, to avoid possibly damaging the follicle. That could lead to infection, scarring, or even bald patches.
6) Sitting too Close to the TV Ruins Your Eyes
This one will come as a relief to anyone who spends all day staring at a screen: Sitting too close to the TV will not hurt your eyesight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that it could cause temporary eyestrain, which occurs when your eyes get tired from overuse. So don't forget to rest your peepers every once in awhile, fellow desk jockeys.
7) Cats Suck Babies' Breath
Relax, feline fans: Your cat will not suck your baby's breath from their body. According to an investigation by LiveScience, this idea may come from a 300-year-old case in which a child was supposedly strangled to death by a cat. Today, we know the baby more likely passed from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. While you should always monitor pets around babies, your cat likely doesn't bear yours any ill will.
8) Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
Just like plucking, shaving has no impact on the thickness of your hair, The Mayo Clinic reassures us. Because shaving cuts the hair off at a blunt angle, it can feel thicker and look more noticeable as it grows back in.
9) Hair of the Dog Cures a Hangover
There's nothing wrong with a good brunch Bloody Mary, but don't fool yourself: That morning-after drink just delays the inevitable. The idea that "hair of the dog" cures a hangover first appeared in print in 1546, according to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. But it's never been true. The only cure for a hangover is waiting it out.
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10) Cracking Knuckles Can Cause Arthritis
Your parents may have told you cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis, but they were probably just sick of the noise. According to Cedars Sinai orthopedic surgeon Robert Klapper, M.D., that cracking sound is just nitrogen bubbles in the fluid that lubricates your joints. If, however, you feel pain or discomfort while cracking, that may be a sign of an issue.
11) Eating Carrots Will Give You Better Eyesight
While carrots do contain beta carotine, a vitamin that helps maintain normal vision, eating more of them won't help fix poor eyesight, explains Berkeley Health. This myth actually dates back to the British Royal Air Force during World War II. Pilots used radar to shoot down enemy planes for the first time but spread a rumor that eating more carrots gave them better eyesight to fool the Allied forces. Evidently, their plot worked a little too well.
12) Being Cold Will Give You One
The bottom line is, you only get sick when exposed to a virus or bacteria. But research shows being cold can have an adverse effect on your immune system. We also spend more time indoors and around other people when the mercury drops, which leads to passing disease around like a hot dish at a potluck.
13) The Five Second Rule
If you've ever exclaimed, "Five second rule!" while picking up a dropped piece of candy and popping it into your mouth, we have bad news. Scientists from Rutgers University found that bacteria transfers to food starting immediately. How much depends on the type of flooring and food involved, but it's best not to eat anything that hit the ground at all.
14) We Eat Eight Spiders a Year in Our Sleep
The arachnophobic might sleep a little better tonight knowing this old wives tale isn't true. The National Sleep Foundation says there's no hard data to support it, but that spiders wouldn't be inclined to crawl into a predator's mouth. We also move around enough in our sleep to scare them off, so don't worry about accidentally swallowing the creepy crawlies.
These long-believed "facts" don't exactly hold any truth.