6 popular health myths busted with some help from science

It's totally okay to have fried foods in moderation, carbs are good for you and it's not set in stone that exercising in the morning is the best. Lounge goes busting six health myths

Shrenik Avlani
Published28 Oct 2024, 06:00 PM IST
Simply cutting out fried foods from your diet will not lead to weight loss. You need to ensure calorie balance and consistent physical activity to achieve it.
Simply cutting out fried foods from your diet will not lead to weight loss. You need to ensure calorie balance and consistent physical activity to achieve it.(Unsplash/Bayu Wicaksono)

Stories make the world go around. A few of them, widely accepted as traditional knowledge today, determine how we eat, drink, sleep, play and live our lives. But some of these stories are mere falsehoods that have gained credence with the passage of time. The question to ask is ‘ Do they still hold water in the light of scientific progress that we have made?’ Lounge talks to experts and digs through scientific research to get to the bottom of six popular health beliefs. 

#1: Early morning is the best time to exercise

Fitness experts outright dismiss this claim and doctors concur that there’s no scientific basis to back this belief. “There’s no universal best time to exercise,” says Shreedhar Rangaraj, fitness expert at Cult Fit. While morning workouts can boost energy for the day and promote consistency, some people perform better in the afternoon or evening when their muscles are more warmed up. “The key is to exercise at a time when you feel most energetic and can stay consistent,” says Rangaraj. Cancel that alarm, the gyms stay open till late night for good reason. 

Also read: Busting 4 wellness myths you have seen on social media

#2: Walking without breaks is more exercise than doing it with breaks 

What elder hasn’t told you this? Well, science is here to help you counter the claim this time. A study, titled Move less, spend more: the metabolic demands of short walking bouts, published in October found that walking or climbing stairs in short bursts with breaks consumes 20% to 60% more energy than when people do it nonstop for the same amount of activity. The team of researchers from University of Milan who conducted the study found that shorter walking bouts incur a substantially greater oxygen cost than longer ones “owing to their greater proportion of oxygen uptake for non-metabolic purposes, variations in the energy equivalent of oxygen and lower efficiency.” 

#3: Sauna sessions burn fat

“Incorrect”, says Dr Chaitanya Kulkarni, consultant for internal medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Navi Mumbai. “Saunas are not used to melt away fat. They aid in sweating, which causes only a temporary reduction in water weight, which is soon regained upon rehydration,” he adds. That said, saunas do have their benefits. They help relieve muscle aches and contribute to the production of endorphins, which are natural pain blockers. Three sauna sessions a week can help relieve stress and benefit the overall functioning of the heart, advises Kulkarni. 

#4: Cold water showers in the winter cause common cold

“It is a common misconception that people catch a cold by taking a cold shower or drinking cold water in winter,” says Kulkarni, adding, “Colds in the winter are caused by viruses and not by drinking or bathing in cold water.” While sudden exposure to cold can cause a little discomfort and may pose risks for individuals with heart conditions, the claim that it leads to illness is exaggerated, adds Rangaraj. 

#5: To lose weight, quit fried food

True but not entirely, says Rangaraj. “While cutting down on fried food can help reduce calorie intake, weight loss is about overall calorie balance and consistent physical activity. Focusing on a balanced diet with controlled portions, combined with strength training and cardio, is the best approach to long-term weight management, he explains.  Kulkarni notes that cutting back on fried foods could potentially improve health and help with weight control. But simply doing away with fried foods will not lead to weight loss. So, go on and relish those fries and samosas as long as you are able to strike some balance. 

#6: Avoid carbs and fats at all costs

Carbs and fats have gained a bad rep of late, particularly with the ascent of high-protein diets. Scientific evidence shows that carbs and fats are essential macronutrients that your body needs for energy and various functions, says Rangaraj. “Carbs fuel the brain and muscles. Healthy fats aid in hormone construction, cellular activities, and nutrient uptake,” adds Kulkarni. What is needed is choosing the right sort of carbohydrates (whole grains and vegetables) and unsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts, and avocados) in the right proportion. “A drastic elimination of carbs and fats can easily result in deficiency symptoms and a low level of energy,” warns Kulkarni. So, instead of avoiding carbs and fats, focus on consuming healthy fats and complex carbs and strive for balance, says Rangaraj.  

Shrenik Avlani is a writer and editor and the co-author of The Shivfit Way, a book on functional fitness.

Also read: 5 great workout tips from the Godfather of Bodybuilding

 

 

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

MoreLess
First Published:28 Oct 2024, 06:00 PM IST
Business NewsLoungeWellness6 popular health myths busted with some help from science

Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!

  • Employment Type

    Most Active Stocks

    Tata Steel share price

    147.55
    03:59 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    -3.35 (-2.22%)

    Tata Motors share price

    805.70
    03:58 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    -14.1 (-1.72%)

    Indian Hotels Company share price

    733.05
    03:51 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    49.45 (7.23%)

    Ashok Leyland share price

    222.00
    03:59 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    6.2 (2.87%)
    More Active Stocks

    Market Snapshot

    • Top Gainers
    • Top Losers
    • 52 Week High

    Aarti Industries share price

    474.75
    03:59 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    -40.3 (-7.82%)

    Signatureglobal India share price

    1,274.45
    03:29 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    -107.95 (-7.81%)

    Great Eastern Shipping Company share price

    1,200.50
    03:29 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    -90.45 (-7.01%)

    GMM Pfaudler share price

    1,282.90
    03:29 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    -92 (-6.69%)
    More from Top Losers

    Indian Hotels Company share price

    733.05
    03:51 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    49.45 (7.23%)

    Vijaya Diagnostic Centre share price

    1,098.90
    03:29 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    71.45 (6.95%)

    Motilal Oswal Financial Services share price

    996.05
    03:59 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    61.85 (6.62%)

    One 97 Communications share price

    848.15
    03:58 PM | 8 NOV 2024
    52.35 (6.58%)
    More from Top Gainers

    Recommended For You

      More Recommendations

      Gold Prices

      • 24K
      • 22K
      Bangalore
      79,485.000.00
      Chennai
      79,491.000.00
      Delhi
      79,643.000.00
      Kolkata
      79,495.000.00

      Fuel Price

      • Petrol
      • Diesel
      Bangalore
      102.92/L0.00
      Chennai
      100.80/L0.00
      Kolkata
      104.95/L0.00
      New Delhi
      94.77/L0.00

      Popular in Lounge

        HomeMarketsPremiumInstant LoanMint Shorts