Debunking 4 Common Myths About Health

November 08, 2024

Are these statements myth or fact? Spoiler alert: they’re all myths! We’re debunking some of the most common myths about health, so keep reading to learn more about these myths and the interesting truths behind them.

1. Myth: Cracking joints causes arthritis.

Cracking your knuckles might be satisfying for you (and maybe annoying for everyone else), but cracking your joint doesn’t actually cause arthritis like you may have been led to believe. The cracking sound you hear is actually caused by gas bubbles popping that form between your bones. It’s harmless and doesn’t contribute at all to arthritis.

2. Myth: Carbohydrates make you fat.

Another common health myth is that carbohydrates are the main factor in gaining weight. While certain carbohydrates can certainly contribute to overall weight gain, the idea that all carbohydrates make you fat is certainly false. First, we must distinguish between healthy carbohydrates and unhealthy ones. Whole grains such as oats, wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, and quinoa are all examples of healthy carbohydrates that are full of beneficial nutrients. In fact, your body needs carbohydrates for energy and metabolism- you literally can’t live without them! On the other hand, the refined carbohydrates found in processed foods like white bread and pasta, packaged sweets, crackers, chips, and other baked goods contain the type of carbohydrates with little nutritional value. This type of carb not only lowers the nutritional value of your diet but also can increase inflammation, digestive issues, and yes, body fat.

3. Myth: All fats are “bad”.

Along the same lines as the previous myth about health, this myth also has led people to believe that all fats are bad and detrimental to your health. Again, you must understand the difference between saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are found in fast food, buttery and fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, and many packaged foods, and eating a diet high in this type of fat can result in high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity, and other serious health conditions. However, unsaturated fats like those found in fatty fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocado are healthier alternatives due to their ability to fight inflammation and stabilize blood pressure. When you balance your consumption of fatty foods, you’ll be better for it in the long run!

4. Myth: Walking is only beneficial if you hit 10,000 steps a day.

You’ve probably heard the advice to walk 10,000 steps a day for optimal health, but that goal can be overwhelming and daunting for some, especially if you have low mobility. Walking 10,000 steps a day is certainly a good goal to work up to if you can, but that specific goal isn’t the equivalent of the benefits of walking. Simply increasing your daily steps at all is beneficial; the exercise of walking itself is what’s beneficial not the number of steps you take.

We hope you’ve learned a lot from us debunking these common myths about health! Do you want to keep up with the latest health news and get more wellness tips and information like this? Stay up to date with our pharmacy blog to learn about more ways to improve your health!