Top 8 Food Myths - study

Top 8 Food Myths


Along with the Loch Ness Monster, UFOs and Vampires, there exists a long list of other myths that till today remain a mystery. These myths about food however have been debunked, and with that, we present to you some of the most popular food-related myths and the truth behind them.

CHOCOLATE
Chocolate is evil! It's the Devil's temptation! Stay away from it unless you want to instantly become fat! Oh, how we've all heard that before - and how some of us choose to completely ignore it. Studies have proved that chocolate has not one, not two but a whole long list of beneficial effects on your health. But what about acne on my pretty little face, you ask? Well, acne is actually caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells, hormonal changes, and oily skin and is heredity, so consuming chocolate has no effect on your acne. Ever wondered why you've never seen an angry person eating chocolate? That's because chocolate increases your brain's serotonin levels) which is basically your 'feel good' hormone, Also, it has antibiotic properties, improves blood circulation) boosts memory, acts as a neuronal disinhibitor that amplifies attraction, excitement, boldness and (men, take note) it also boosts your sexual performance! There is also proof that the antioxidant-rich dark chocolate greatly reduces stress-hormone levels and fight-or-flight hormones (catecholamines). And if those facts aren't convincing enough, chocolate is also rich in iron, magnesium and a 1999 research at Harvard University even discovered that chocolate consumers live almost one year more than those who do not eat chocolate.

EGGS
You've seen it happen - that one person who pushes aside the egg yolk with a disgusted look on his/her face while saying "Too much cholesterol". Eggs are not healthy for you only if you eat too many of them. Too much of anything isn't good for you, really. Having at least one egg a day is actually advisable because it's filled with protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, niacin, biotin and vitamin B12, which when you think about it, is a lot of healthy goodness. It is not uncommon for people to say that you should avoid high-cholesterol eggs, but according to Lisa Miles, Nutrition Scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, "cholesterol from our diet has little influence on blood cholesterol concentrations in healthy people". Not to mention, eggs are one of the richest sources of iron, calcium, phosphorus and also choline, a nutrient that helps brain functions. The best time to indulge in eggs would be for breakfast, where it's been proven to induce lower calorie consumption for the rest of the day.

RED WINE
Now before you start jumping for joy while screaming. "It's okay to be an alcoholic, Top Wellness Health said so!" let me say this, yes, drinking red wine is another way to prolong your life and stay healthy. Chugging down a whole bottle of it, however, isn't.
Now that we've got that out of the way, here are some reasons why moderate amounts of red wine can help you - red wine contains resveratrol, a compound that fights disease and has anti-ageing properties. It also lowers the risk of heart attack for middle-aged people by 30 to 50 per cent. But that's not all! Studies also indicate that red wine raises HDL cholesterol (the good one) and prevents LDL cholesterol (the bad one) from forming, aids anticlotting, maintains healthy blood vessels, protects you against osteoporosis, cataracts, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and many more! Just a word of caution, do NOT start drinking if you do not already drink alcohol. And for those of you who already do, please do so in moderation.

COFFEE
Being a coffee junkie myself, this busted myth is a sure reason to celebrate. Okay, so drinking too much can obviously cause sluggishness, bad breath, and unhealthy heartbeats and triggers other heart related problems. Your sleep is affected and you even lose calcium through urine, but similarly to anything else you may consume, the trick is to do it in moderation. When consumed moderately, coffee has been proven to protect the skin against UV radiation, decrease insulin levels, and is beneficial against eye spasm, gout, and muscular and joint pain. You'll also be glad to know that coffee increases sexual drive. Despite all its benefits, pregnant women take note - your consumption of caffeine should be limited to a maximum of 300mg daily only (that's about four cups of instant coffee).

MILK
The argument on whether milk is actually good for you has been debated for ages and till today is clouded with uncertainty. It's been said that milk strengthens your bones, yet American women, the biggest consumers of calcium in the world, have one of the highest levels of osteoporosis. African Bantu women eat a1mos no dairy products and have low calcium intake, yet hardly suffer from osteoporosis. They also say milk is a great source of calcium, which based on studies, is untrue-milk is rich in calcium, but it's also high in animal protein and prevents your body from actually absorbing the calcium. (Only about 25 per cent of calcium is absorbed) Other sources for calcium like nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables whereas provide us with more than 50 per cent. One fact you may already know is that the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar (lactose) is called lactase, and it disappears from our bodies at the age of three.
After which, milk is virtually indigestible. Even the American Association of Pediatricians doesn't recommend cow's milk for infants below the age of one. Now, you may hate us for revealing this, but who knows? Maybe cow's milk is just not meant for us human beings.

CARROTS
But mama said...yes, but didn't she also tell you that the Easter Bunny was real? For decades, carrots were believed to improve eyesight for one simple reason - they're full of vitamin A, which is essential for healthy eyesight as well as skin.
However, Professor Algis Vingrys from the University of Melbourne's Department of Optometry and Vision Services states that no amount of carrots will improve your eyesight if you've already got a well balanced diet. To ensure healthy eyesight, all you need is a diet with sufficient vitamin A, iron and other substances that our bodies can convert into vitamins (provitamins). It Is Interesting to note where this myth actually started. During World War II, Germany was surprised at how well the British Royal Air Force was able to shoot down German planes in the dark. Those clever Brits, reluctant to reveal their secret of using night radar, told them that their pilots ate lots and lots of carrots. The Germans bought the story.

ORANGE JUICE
When you ask people why they consider a glass of orange juice a good way 0 s art the day, you will almost always encounter responses such as these: it's a good source of vitamin C, it's healthy or my mama said so. Only problem is, oranges are both sweet and very acidic. They stress our immune system because they're considered a high glycemic food that spikes blood sugar. They also increase acidity, weakening the body's ability to fight off bacteria and viruses, and increase congestion and mucus production. Sure, orange Juice is a good source of vitamin C - for soldiers without access o fresh fruits and vegetables ha is. Have a whole orange instead, or for an even beer source of vitamin C, have some kiwis. Apples are high in vitamin C and also contain plenty of fibre, making them a low-glycemic food. Lemons contain as much vitamin C as oranges, but they also improve he body's acid-alkali balance.

FROZEN FOOD
The very thought of frozen and canned food being healthier than fresh food can seem rather ridiculous to many, but here are some often overlooked facts. The 'fresh' food or products you see at the grocery store, warehouses, shops and markets may have been hanging around there for weeks! After harvesting, here's the sorting and packing process, then comes shipping, more often than not cross country.
While all that’s happening, fluctuations in light and temperature rob fruits and vegetables of important nutrients such as vitamin C and folate.
It can take days or even weeks before they reach he dinner table and vitamins are gradually lost over time no matter how carefully the vegetables are transported and stored. Frozen and canned foods whereas, retain more nutrients and while it often doesn't taste as good as the fresh ones, the ash-freezing process means vegetables may be frozen within hours of being picked, reducing the breakdown of chemicals. And while the heating process in canning causes some nutrient loss, they are not lost significantly.