New Research Debunks Popular Holiday Myths

Researchers at Indiana University published a list of six Christmas-related health myths in the British Medical Journal. Among the myths? That sugar causes hyperactive behavior. Scientists tested this out by giving sugar to a group of kids, some with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and noted that none displayed an increase hyperactive behavior. They did note, however, that parents who think that their kids have had sugar are more likely to rate their child’s behavior as “hyperactive.” We personally noticed that sugar did not cause hyperactivity when crushing and sniffing Adderall became so popular in college. If sugar is such an upper, wouldn’t college students be crushing and snorting candy bars too?

Another myth the team counters is that poinsettias, the popular Mexican Christmas plant, are poisonous. According to the scientists, out of 22,793 cases of poinsettia exposure reported in the US, none resulted in death and 96% required no medical treatment whatsoever. Although poinsettias are technically toxic, none of the aforementioned cases resulted in considerable poisoning. So calm down Grandma! That terrible rash is probably just an STD. More examples of ways society tries to indoctrinate you with pointless myths, after the jump:

According to the scientists, there is no effective cure or preventative measures for hangovers aside from drinking in moderation. We know, that’s sort of like saying if you don’t want to get pregnant or get an STD than you have to wear condoms. No amount of cooch jelly or douching is going to help you.

You may have heard from celebrities and other health specialists that eating at night will make you blow up like Oprah. Well, according to new studies, that ain’t true. In one study of more than 2,500 patients, eating at night did not cause weight gain. However, eating more than three meals a day did. According to the researchers, eating more in general will cause you to gain weight, not eating at night.

We’ve heard from basically everyone that such-and-such percentage of heat is lost through our heads. Well, not true! According to researchers, if you go out in the arctic in a swimsuit, you can still only count on losing 10% of your body heat through your head. Basically, any exposed area of your body loses heat. The myth that wearing a hat will keep tons of heat in your body first originated with the military. However, researchers say the old military studies did not prove that wearing a hat kept one significantly warmer than not wearing one.

With the emergence of such valid psychiatric diagnoses such as S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), you may be tempted to believe the myth that more people commit suicide during the winter months. Says one Dr. Vreeman:

“The combined stresses of family dysfunction, exacerbations in loneliness, and more depression over the cold dark winter months are commonly thought to increase the number of suicides.”

Well, friends, it ain’t true. There is no valid evidence to suggest that suicide peaks during the holidays. In fact, studies have shown that worldwide suicide rates peak in warmer months. So if you’re trying to be hip and kill yourself at the same time, wait until June! June is the cat’s meow for suicide.

Winter medical myths ‘debunked’ [BBC News]