Busting 5 popular health myths

Health myths. We hear them all day every day – from your colleague to your driver, everyone has a totka to give. But just because all these myths are popular doesn’t mean that they work as well. Here are 5 popular health myths busted.

1. Fat is not good for you

Fat is necessary for a healthy, balanced diet. The macronutrient is as important as carbohydrates and proteins. Doctors recommend adding ‘good fats’ such as Omega 3 and 6 found in foods like avocado, salmon, eggs, olive oil, flax seeds, walnuts, etc to your diet.

2. Drink milk for stronger bones

Milk is recommended for strong bones as dairy is the easiest available source of calcium that is required for bone health.  But if a person does not like milk he still can have healthy and strong bones by getting the required amount of calcium from nuts, sesame seeds, oily fish and dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, green collard, broccoli, etc. Physical fitness experts say other ways to increase bone density is to exercise regularly.

 3. Fruit juices are healthy

Most fruit juices are as high in calories as a sugary soft drink. A glass of orange juice, for example, contains the extract of six oranges. When you have fruit you usually eat one or two and have it with all the fiber, vitamins and minerals. Juicing destroys the minerals and nutrients and takes out the fibre leaving you with just a sugar overdose.

4. Gluten is bad for you

Gluten is a group of proteins found in whole grains such as wheat, rye, and barley, etc. Like other proteins, it has an important source of macro-nutrition. It is bad for those who have the problem of indigestion, gas and poor bowel movement.

5. Brushing teeth after every meal is best for oral hygiene

 Dentists recommend brushing teeth only twice a day – once when you wake and once before going to sleep. Over-brushing teeth wears down the enamel, making your teeth weak. Moreso, toothpaste usually contain sugar and fluorides which means that consumption of toothpaste four to five times a day will do more harm than good. It is better to rinse and floss after a meal to clean your teeth instead of brushing them.