Arthritis and Knuckle-Cracking? And More Myths Debunked

Hey everyone, Gambit here, and today we're debunking myths. So read and stay tuned for tomorrow's blog

Myth: Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis

Fact: A 30-year study showed this is not the case. However, knuckle cracking can lessen one’s grip strength because of repeated overstretching of the tendon.

Myth: If you go outside with wet hair on a cold day, you’ll catch a cold

Fact: Colds are caused by viruses, which you can’t get just from being outside in the cold. You may feel sick if you’re outside all day in the cold or rain — runny nose, chills, fatigue — but it’s not because of a virus. It’s because you can experience the same symptoms when you are chilled as when you are sick.

Myth: Sugar makes children hyper

Fact: Several studies have shown that sugar doesn’t cause children to be more hyper. Some studies demonstrated that parents who thought their child was given sugar believed them to be more hyper even when they weren’t given sugar — demonstrating the misconception parents sometimes have.

However, sugar does affect behavior. A breakfast high in sugar has been shown to result in severe deterioration of attention span when compared to no breakfast or whole-grain cereal. One study reported that children who were given sugar had higher levels of adrenaline — a possible explanation for this misconception because higher adrenaline levels lead to symptoms similar to those of hyperactivity.

Myth: Sitting too close to the TV will make you go blind

Fact:Televisions and other devices emit such low radiation levels that they have little effect on the body. However, staring at the same thing for a long period of time can cause the eye muscles to fatigue, thereby affecting vision. But there has been no proof this causes long-term damage.

Well, thanks for reading, this has been Gambit with Back in the Outback. Cya!