15 Food Myths and Lies They Mistakenly Led You to Believe Are True

Numerous myths and misunderstandings regarding food and diet have persisted from our childhood. As time progresses, scientific advancements continue to debunk an increasing number of these falsehoods. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that not everyone is privy to these revelations unless they are actively following the latest research. Consequently, we’ve undertaken an exploration to identify the enduring popularity of these misconceptions.

1. Not all chocolates are real.

Yes, dark and milk chocolate are real, since they are made of cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar. However, white chocolate doesn’t fall in that same category, being known as fake. What makes it different is the fact that it doesn’t contain any cocoa particles, but only cocoa butter and sugar. Sometimes vanilla is added for extra flavor, but the one thing you can be sure of is that it is not real chocolate no matter how tasty it is.

2. You need to wash raw chicken.

This longstanding misconception persists, and a significant number of individuals continue to adhere to it. However, the CDC consistently emphasizes that washing raw chicken only spreads bacteria from the chicken to additional foods and utensils. Complete eradication of germs and bacteria can be achieved through thorough cooking. Additionally, practicing proper hand hygiene post-handling poultry and employing distinct cutting boards for various food types is essential to avert cross-contamination.

3. Celery burns calories.

For a long time, people have believed that some foods are calorie-negative, which means that the more you eat, the more calories you lose. However, this concept on its own is a lie, which means that celery doesn’t burn calories. It is, indeed, healthy, as it contains a lot of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and, of course, water.

Remember that our bodies need calories in order to function and produce energy. Not only that, but our bodies burn about 10% of their daily intake through digestion and absorption.

4. Cheetos are not chips.

The one thing that most chips have in common is that they are made mainly of potatoes and are flat in shape. However, Cheetos don’t contain any potatoes and are made using corn, while their shape differs a lot. And the shape is a very important factor that categorizes Cheetos into puffs. A puff means that air has been into the product giving it a more 3D look.

5. Eating chocolate can cause acne.

To begin, it’s crucial to clarify that there isn’t any substantiated evidence or research indicating a link between chocolate consumption and acne development. It’s important to note that chocolate not only includes cocoa beans but also sugar, yet no conclusive scientific data supports the notion that sugar directly causes acne.

If a pimple arises subsequent to consuming chocolate, it’s likely a mere coincidence and possibly triggered by external factors. Established contributors to acne encompass sodium-rich foods, carbonated beverages, and, more recently, low-fat and skim dairy products.

6. Drinking coffee can stop your kid’s bone growth.

Many years ago, people believed that drinking coffee would eliminate the calcium from your body and, therefore, lead to osteoporosis. As you can imagine, this rumor caused a lot of worry among people, especially regarding their kids who were still growing. We should take into consideration that people don’t start drinking coffee regularly until their early adulthood and late teenage years. Their growth has most probably reached its full potential by that point, so coffee will in no way stop it.

Even if little kids were to have a few sips of coffee here and there, this wouldn’t stand in the way of their growth or height. Genes, overall health, and a good diet are the main factors contributing to how tall a kid will become.

7. Fish and carrots will improve your eyesight.

The notion that fish has the direct ability to enhance eyesight is a myth; however, the veracity lies in the potential benefits of their omega-3 fatty acids, particularly in later life. Specifically, a study unveiled that individuals consuming a minimum of two fish servings weekly exhibited a 39% reduced likelihood of age-related macular degeneration diagnosis. While fish does indeed confer health advantages, it does not possess the magical power to instantly enhance eyesight.

Shifting our attention to carrots, the concept that they can significantly improve eyesight was cultivated during the 1930s and 1940s as part of a strategic propaganda initiative. Nonetheless, this does not negate their positive influence on eye health. Carrots do indeed contain beneficial compounds such as beta-carotene and lutein. These two antioxidants contribute to shielding the eyes from damage induced by free radicals.

8. Granola isn’t better than rice.

Granola is an excellent source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, dietary fiber, iron, potassium, and protein. On the other hand, rice is also a good source of protein and vitamin A, and it doesn’t contain as much sugar and fat as granola. Just 100 grams of rice has 91% carbs, while the same amount of granola has 45% fat. Also, a serving of granola has 489 calories, while one of rice has only 130 calories.

They both have their pros and cons, but granola comes with a lot more calories than rice for a small amount. It might also offer you a lot more than rice, but if it comes down to how fattening it is, it loses massively.

9. Cranberries cure UTIs.

Although cranberries are delicious to eat or drink as a juice, they can’t treat something as painful as a UTI. There just isn’t enough scientific evidence to show if they actually cure this infection. There is a potential ability to decrease the severity of the symptoms, but it’s not clear if they can completely cure it. Also, there is no data to show either the quantity of the cranberries or the duration of the therapy that should be followed.

10. Turkey causes drowsiness.

Indeed, turkey does contain L-tryptophan, an amino acid frequently associated with sleep. However, its presence alone is insufficient to trigger serotonin production essential for inducing sleep. Therefore, it is not solely the consumption of turkey that prompts drowsiness following a hearty Thanksgiving meal; rather, it’s the collective effect of the carbohydrates ingested. Carbohydrate-rich elements such as potatoes, rice, bread, and pie contribute to this effect, and the substantial quantities consumed naturally induce a propensity for extended periods of rest.

11. Milk builds stronger bones.

Drinking 1 glass of milk per day can be beneficial since it offers you the calcium that your body needs. However, more is not better with milk, since consuming 3-4 glasses a day has been found to increase the risk of bone and hip fractures. Not only that, but the same study found that women who drank 3-4 glasses daily had double the mortality rate than women who only drank less than 1 glass per day. An additional study also showed that the consumption of milk doesn’t necessarily lower the risk of osteoporosis.

12. You can’t eat an unlimited amount of sugar-free snacks.

Artificial sweeteners are super popular. Experts say one common thing: too much sugar creates health problems. This leads some people to think that artificial sweeteners are a solution. No, it’s a myth.

This isn’t “the perfect solution” if there is one. For instance, a study says that certain artificial sweeteners can negatively affect gut activity, meaning you can get tummy troubles, and worse. Use your imagination.

13. Egg yolks increase your cholesterol levels.

Many people believe that eating the yolk in eggs will increase their cholesterol levels, but there isn’t enough evidence to prove that. Yes, egg yolks are high in cholesterol, but it’s not enough to raise your blood’s cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in trans fats and saturated fats are more to blame for this problem. In fact, a healthy person could eat 7 eggs per week and still have no issue with their cholesterol or their heart.

Even if your cholesterol level is a bit high, eating 1 egg per day, preferably boiled, won’t cause you any harm. If your daily cholesterol intake should be at 300 mg, a big egg contains 186 mg, and the egg white doesn’t have any.

14. Eating nuts will make you fat.

While nuts indeed contain a considerable calorie content, the fats within them offer substantial health benefits and are not a cause for weight gain, supported by over two decades of research. Contrary to expectations, nuts contribute to weight management by promoting quicker satiety and prolonged fullness. It’s worth noting that the nutritional value remains consistent whether the nuts are consumed raw or roasted.

However, exercise caution with salted or sugar-coated variations. The recommended daily consumption is approximately 30 grams, equivalent to 20 almonds, 15 cashews, or 30 pistachios.

15. Many vanilla ice cream brands don’t contain vanilla.

Real vanilla is very expensive, since it can cost $20 for just 4 ounces of pure extract. Maybe that’s why many ice cream manufactures don’t even add the ingredient in their vanilla creations. Indeed it was found that 5 out of 24 popular ice cream brands didn’t include not just vanilla but also cream or fresh milk. Actually, only half of those brands included all 3 of these ingredients that are necessary to produce ice cream.

Myths and lies are things that have been circulating since forever and due to good marketing we have been convinced about their validity. It’s the same with many blockbuster films.