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With the winter holidays gearing up, a duo of doctors is crying “Bah, humbug!” over some seasonal health myths. From poisonous poinsettias to heady heat loss, no holiday health myth is safe. Here are the facts, according to Rachel Vreeman, MD, and Aaron Carroll, MD, who are assistant professors of pediatrics at Indiana University’s medical school.
This report was first posted at WebMD Health News some years ago – see how many of these you knew:
- Sugar worsens children’s behavior. Sugar doesn’t make for hyperactive kids. “Regardless of what parents might believe … sugar is not to blame for out-of-control little ones,” write Vreeman and Carroll.
- Holiday time increases suicides. Suicides don’t increase around the holidays or in the winter. Worldwide, suicide rates are actually higher in the summer. And “while the holidays might indeed be a difficult time for some, there is no good scientific evidence to suggest a holiday peak in suicides,” Vreeman and Carroll write.
- Poinsettias are toxic. Vreeman and Carroll found no proof that ingesting poinsettia parts makes for a medical emergency. But there’s no need to nibble on one just to test that, and of course, it never hurts to call Poison Control.
- Wearing hats reduces heat loss. People don’t lose a big percentage of body heat through their heads, according to Vreeman and Carroll. They write that “any uncovered part of the body loses heat and will reduce the core body temperature proportionately.” So bundle up when it’s cold, but wearing a hat may not make as much of a difference as you might think.
- Nighttime feasting reduces weight gain. It wouldn’t really matter if you pillaged the holiday buffet table in broad daylight. Ultimately, it’s the calories that matter, and that’s true 24-7.
- Hangover cures actually work. Vreeman and Carroll found no scientific evidence that “supports any cure or effective prevention for alcohol hangovers” except for drinking alcohol only in moderation or not at all.
© Copyright WLL, INC. 2022. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.
