The Definitive Answers To 18 Of Your Biggest Health Questions
1. Does olive oil prevent heart disease?
Short answer: Yes
The health benefits of olive oil come from the presence of
polyphenols, antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart diseases and cancers.
But to get these healthy compounds, consumers should buy good-quality, fresh
"extra-virgin" olive oil, which has the highest polyphenol content.
Most commercially available olive oils have low levels of polyphenols
associated with poor harvesting methods, improper storage, and heavy processing.
2. Do cough syrups work?
Short answer: No
In 2006, the nation's chest physicians agreed that the
majority of over-the-counter cough medicines don't actually work. These
colorful syrups typically contain doses of codeine and dextromethorphan that
are too small to be effective. Only cough suppressants that contain older
antihistamines seem to relieve coughs. That includes brompheniramine, an active
ingredient in Dimetapp.
3. Do sugary soft drinks lead to diabetes?
Short answer: Yes
The majority of health research is stacked against
sugar-sweetened soda. A large 2004 study in the Journal of the American Medical
Association found that women who drank one or more sugary drinks per day
increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 83% compared to those who
consumed less than one of these beverages per month.
4. Do I need sunscreen with more than 30 SPF?
Short answer: No
Sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 block
about 97% of ultraviolet rays, while sunscreens with an SPF of higher than 30
block 97%-98%. It's more important that you choose "broad-spectrum"
sunscreen, meaning it protects against both UVB and UVA rays. Sunbathers also
need to apply a generous amount of sunscreen in order to get the full benefit
of the SPF.
5. Is the MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) in Chinese food likely
to give you a headache?
Short answer: No
A review of 40 years of clinical trials, published in the
journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2006, found that all
previous research "failed to identify a consistent relationship between the
consumption of MSG and the constellation of symptoms that comprise the
syndrome," including headaches and asthma attacks. The misconception
spawned from several poorly-done small studies in the 1960s that seemed to
connect MSG with a variety of maladies that people experienced after eating at
Chinese restaurants.
6. Do nuts make you fat?
Short answer: No
As much as 75% of a nut is fat. But eating fat doesn't
necessarily make you fat. The bigger factor leading to weight gain is
portion-size. Luckily, nuts are loaded with healthy fats that keep you full.
They're also a good source of protein and fiber. One study even found that
whole almonds have 20% less calories than previously thought because a lot of
the fat is excreted from the body.
7. Is walking as effective as running?
Short answer: Yes
Studies have shown that how long you exercise - and thus how
many calories you burn - is more important than how hard you exercise. Running
is a more efficient form of exercise, but not necessarily better for you. A
six-year study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and
Vascular Biology in April found that walking at a moderate pace and running
produced similar health benefits, so long as the same amount of energy was
expended.
8. Is drinking fruit juice as good for you as eating fruit?
Short answer: No
Calorie for calorie, whole fruit provides more nutritional
benefits than drinking the pure juice of that fruit. That's because when you
liquefy fruit, stripping away the peel and dumping the pulp, many ingredients
like fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and other antioxidants are lost. For
comparison, a five-ounce glass of orange juice that contains 69 calories, has
0.3 grams of dietary fiber and 16 milligrams of calcium, whereas an orange with
the same number of calories packs 3.1 grams of fiber and 60 milligrams of
calcium.
9. Are all wheat breads better for you than white bread?
Short answer: No
Not all wheat breads are created equal. Wheat breads that
contain all parts of the grain kernel, including the nutrient-rich germ and
fiber-dense bran, must be labeled "whole grain" or "whole
wheat." Some wheat breads are just white bread with a little bit of
caramel coloring to make the bread appear healthier, according to Reader's
Digest.
10. Can a hot tub make me sick?
Short answer: Yes
Hot tubs - especially ones in spas, hotels, and gyms - are
perfect breeding grounds for germs. The water is not hot enough to kill
bacteria, but is just the right temperature to make microbes grow even faster.
Even though hot tubs are treated with chlorine, the heat causes the
disinfectant to break down faster than it would in regular pools. The most
common hot tub infection is pseudomonas folliculitis, which causes red, itchy
bumps. A more dangerous side-effect of soaking in a dirty Jacuzzi is a form of
pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease. This is what reportedly sickened more
than 100 people at the Playboy Mansion back in 2011.
11. Does coffee cause cancer?
Short answer: No
Coffee got a bad rap in the 1980s when a study linked
drinking coffee to pancreatic cancer. The preliminary report was later
debunked. More recently, health studies have swung in favor of the caffeinated
beverage. Coffee has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes,
Parkinson's disease, liver cancer, and even suicide.
12. Do eggs raise cholesterol levels?
Short answer: No
Although egg yolks are a major source of cholesterol - a
waxy substance that resembles fat - researchers have learned that saturated fat
has more of an impact on cholesterol in your blood than eating foods that
contain cholesterol. "Healthy individuals with normal blood cholesterol
levels should now feel free to enjoy foods like eggs in their diet every
day," the lead researcher from a 25-year University of Arizona study on
cholesterol concluded.
13. Can you drink too much water?
Short answer: Yes
It is very rare for someone to die from drinking too much
water, but it can happen. Overhydrating is most common among elite athletes.
Drinking an excess of water, called water intoxication, dilutes the
concentration of sodium in the blood leading to a condition known as
hyponatremia. The symptoms of hyponatremia can range from nausea and confusion
to seizures and even death in severe cases. To avoid this, drink fluids with
electrolytes during extreme exercise events.
14. Can yogurt ease digestive problems?
Short answer: Yes
Our digestive tract is filled with microorganisms - some
good and some bad. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, generically called
probiotics, that helps maintain a healthy balance. Probiotics can relieve
several gastrointestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea. Certain
brands of yogurts, like Activa by Dannon, are marketed exclusively to treat
tummy issues.
15. Do whitening toothpastes whiten teeth more than regular
toothpastes?
Short answer: No
Whitening toothpastes usually contain peroxides and other
strong abrasives that might make your teeth appear whiter by removing stains.
Unlike at-home whitening strips and gels that contain bleach, these toothpastes
do not actually change the color of your teeth.
16. Is it safe to microwave food in plastic containers?
Short answer: Yes
But the plastic container should display the words
"microwave safe." This means that the Food and Drug Administration
has tested the container to make sure no chemicals used to make the plastic
leech into foods during microwaving. If chemicals do seep out into food, the
amounts are tiny and not dangerous to our health. As a general guideline,
plastic grocery bags as well as most plastic tubs that hold margarine, yogurt,
cream cheese, and condiments are not microwave safe.
17. Can watching TV ruin your eyesight?
Short answer: No
Watching TV will not destroy your rods and cones as the
outdated myth suggests. Before the 1950s, TVs emitted radiation that could
increase an individual's risk of eye problems after excessive TV viewing.
Modern TVs have special shielding that blocks these harmful emissions.
18. Is bottled water better for you than tap water?
Short answer: No
Bottled water is no safer or purer than tap water, although
it is substantially more expensive. A recent study by Glasgow University in the
U.K. found that bottled water is actually more likely to be contaminated than
water from your faucet because it is less well-regulated. Bottled water and tap
water typically come from the same sources - natural springs, lakes, and
aquifers. While public water supplies are tested for contaminants every day,
makers of bottled water are only required to test for specific contaminants
every week, month, or year.
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