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Whether it’s a common misunderstanding passed down through generations or an outdated science, we are surrounded by untruthful food “facts” that some still wholeheartedly believe. It’s time to set the record straight – here are four common food myths debunked!
1. A food intolerance is just a mild allergy
It’s clear why people may confuse intolerances with allergies, however, this myth could have serious consequences. While both of them cause discomfort, they are entirely different biological processes.
A food allergy is an immune system’s response to a certain food, meaning your body attacks it as if it’s a threat. This can lead to hives, swelling, rashes and other life-threatening symptoms. A food intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system at all. Instead, it’s your digestive system lacking the proper enzyme to break down a certain food, such as the lactase to digest dairy.
While it can cause uncomfortable symptoms (usually bloating and gas), it’s not life-threatening and can even be managed with supplements like Starchway, which help you digest the foods you’re intolerant to.
2. Cheese gives you nightmares
Both kids and adults are often told to avoid eating cheese late at night because it will give them a nightmare. In reality, there is no scientific evidence linking cheese to bad dreams. If anything, it’s the opposite – cheese contains tryptophan which is known to produce serotonin and melatonin, actually improving your sleep!
So where does this funny myth come from? It’s likely to do with eating a heavy, rich meal too close to your bedtime. This can cause indigestion and disrupt your sleep cycle, potentially leading to more vivid dreams. Therefore, it’s best to avoid eating too much before sleeping all together.
3. Carrots help you see in the dark
We’ve all been told to eat our carrots if we want a superhuman night vision. Sadly, that just isn’t true. This myth dates back to World War II, when the British Royal Air Force developed a secret radar technology to help their pilots target enemies at night. To hide this advantage, the government started a campaign claiming that it was the carrots that helped their pilots see better at night.
As hilarious as that sounds, the story worked so well that even to this day many people around the glove believe it! But, while carrots won’t give you night-vision, they are high in Vitamin A, which is a nutrient associated with eye health.
4. Eating celery burns calories
Celery is often promoted as a “negative-calorie” food, meaning the process of chewing and digesting supposedly burns more calories than the food itself has. Although it’s true that your body uses energy to digest food, it’s certainly not enough to cancel out the calories in what you eat. For example, if a large stalk of celery contains about 10 calories, your body might only use one or two to digest it.
This myth becomes more damaging when people believe it’s their gateway to weight loss. Celery is an incredibly healthy, hydrating, low-calorie snack, but it’s not some magical solution to burning fat. It also doesn’t contain all of the nutrients that your body needs and gets from other foods.
Demystifying foods
There is a lot of unnecessary stigma around food – some may be harmless and funny, while others can cause serious health issues. But, with so much information available to us, sifting the myths from the facts is easier than ever!
