Top health myths about water

Water is an amazing substance - we can't live without it and in fact we are mostly made of it.

So it is not surprising that a whole bunch of half-truths and myths exist about water,
especially when it comes to your health.
So here are our top 5 myths about water.

Myth 1: We should drink 8 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration
Probably one of the most widely-believed yet false beliefs about water -
no doubt encouraged by bottled water brands.
It's true that our bodies need a fair amount of water every day.
According to the British Dietetic Association, most of us need the equivalent of around six to eight glasses of fluid a day, fluid not water. Much of this can be obtained from the food we eat - fruit and vegeatables are 80-90 per cent water by weight - and other drinks including milk, tea and coffee.
Obviously in hotter, sweatier conditions we need to up our intake to make up for the extra loss, but again, any non-alcoholic drink will suffice.
Your body is also very good at regulating its water levels - it will get rid of excess by sweat and urine and when levels are low you will feel thirsty and compelled to drink.

Myth 2: Coffee, tea and other beverages "dehydrate" you
While it is true that caffeine has a diuretic effect (it makes you want to pee) this is very mild compared with the amount of water contained in the drink.
So as explained above these drinks will contribute to your body's need for water.

Myth 3: Water is harmless (apart from drowning!)
Generally speaking water is a non-toxic substance.
But it is possible to drink too much water.
In extreme cases drinking too much water can cause an electrolyte imbalance
in the body, known as "water intoxication."
Athletes in extreme sports such as marathon runners have been know to suffer from this condition.
Their sport causes them to sweat profusely, leading to a loss of both water and electrolytes, including sodium.
But if they drink a lot of water in a short period of time without replacing the lost electrolytes, sodium levels in the blood fall, which can be potentially life-threatening.

Myth 4: Bottled water is safer that tap water
Would you drink a liquid containing chemicals that may have been exposed to pesticides,
man-made fertilisers and even radioactive materials and destroys the environment?
Then you will probably be happy to pay 1,500 times the going rate to drink water from a plastic bottle.
Tap water is subject to stringent health and safety requirements.
It is continuously tested and safe to drink. Bottled waters often come from exactly
the same sources as tap water - in fact some are tap water.
Much bottled water is prepared with lower safety standards than tap water, and it consumes vast resources to bottle, ship, market and sell it. That's why it costs around 1,500 times more per drink than tap water, which is safe, cheap, convenient and by the far the most eco-friendly way to get water.

Myth 5: Water can help you lose weight
Actually there is some truth is this idea. But only some.
Going back to myth 1, drinking calorie-free and sugar-free water is a better way to get your daily fluid intake than gulping back sugary, high-calorie soft drinks.
And some studies have shown that if you drink a pint of water before a meal it can help you eat less. But the key point here is that you do in fact need to eat less - the water itself does not in any way reduce your body fat.

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Acne: 10 Most Common Myths

What we think we know about acne is steadily being replaced by what scientists are learning. Meanwhile, many myths continue to circulate and endure. Clearing up some of the misunderstandings about acne is what this article is about.

Myth #1: Acne only affects appearance
Acne can also cause deep psychological distress. Severe acne can lead to low self-image and feeling depressed. There is a strong link between severe acne and social withdrawal.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by poor hygiene
While skin infections are associated with acne, lack of cleanliness is not the reason for acne outbreaks. The combination of oil and dead cells which produce acne is located beneath the skin's surface where it is impossible to clean it away. Gentle cleansing with soap and water once or twice daily will keep your skin as healthy as possible. Scrubing too hard may worsen acne.

Myth #3: Acne is caused by specific foods
Chocolate has long had a reputation as a pimple producer. Studies have shown no scientific evidence that this is true. The same holds true for potato chips and sugar. There are some foods that do seem to aggravate (not cause) the condition: milk and foods high in iodine, such as seafood.

Myth #4: Acne has to run its course
There are many acne treatments available both over-the-counter and stronger medicines from a dermatologist.

Myth #5: The more acne medicine the better
Some people believe that if their acne gets worse they should just use more medicine. That's a bad idea because medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Excess use of acne ointments may just irritate the skin further.

Myth #6: Sunbathing is good for acne
Exposure to the sun dries out excess oils, so it does improve acne short-term. However, long-term the skin adapts and the acne is unfazed. Worse, there is scientific evidence that sun exposure damages the skin and increases the chance of skin cancer.

Myth #7: Makeup causes acne
Some makeup products can clog the pores, which is bad for the health of your skin. Cosmetics that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" are safe to use. Some brands are made with ingredients that actually treat acne.

Myth #8: Acne is only a teenage condition
While most teens have acne, so do many adults. Acne generally clears up by the early 20s. But some people experience acne for the first time as late as their 40s. And for the most unfortunate of all, some people endure acne flare-ups their entire lives.
Myth #9: Acne is related to sex
We've probably all heard that either celibacy or too much sex causes pimples. There is no evidence for this. There is a link between sexual activity and hormone production, but the relationship between sex and the production of sebum (the oily substance which combines with dead skin cells to cause acne) is not known. Stress and anger also affect hormone levels.

Myth #10: Popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them
The fact is popping pimples may worsen acne by spreading the bacteria that is causing it. Popping can also lead to eventual scarring, which in severe cases, can be permanent.

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Eight Facts and Myths About drunk

After drinking alcoholic beverages, people will feel drunk and unconscious. Some people even feel pain after getting drunk.

Here are some myths about drinking and its impacts, quoted by WebMD.

1. Myth: Drinking is not a big problem

Drunk fact is the body's reaction to being poisoned due to too much alcohol. People who drink alcohol to excess will experience central nervous system disorders. This is not a trivial thing, because it can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and dehydration.

In addition, the after effects will arise alkolol missing severe headache, fatigue, mouth numbness, stomach cramps and weakened immune systems.


2. Myth: Drunk 'blind' gender

The fact is the same drink, women are more likely to give negative impact of alcohol than men.

This is because men have more water content in the body than women, which can help dilute the alcohol they drink. In women, the same amount, more alcohol is formed in the bloodstream.


3. Myth: Drinking only happens if you drink lots of alcohol

The fact is true drink much alcohol can cause drunkenness, but it also depends on body composition. In some people, just drink a glass of alcohol alone can trigger headaches and other hangover symptoms.


4. Myth: Wine (wine) is the lightest alcohol

In fact Red wine contains tannins, are compounds known to trigger headaches in some people. Drinks such as whiskey is also likely to cause more severe hangover. Wine even harder than vodka and gin.


5. Myth: Diet cocktail is a safe bet

In fact the diet drinks may be helpful if you want to reduce calories, but it will not help to avoid a hangover.

Research shows that consumption of fruits, fruit juices or liquids that contain sugar can reduce the intensity of drinking alcoholic beverages.


6. Myth: Eating before bed can reduce hangover effects

In fact this is one of two false suppositions. First, eat before bed (after drinking alcohol) will not help reduce the effects of drunkenness.

Second, although food can slow the body's absorption of alcohol, but eating before sleep could actually worsen the condition of your body.


7. Myth: Alcohol helps you to sleep better

In fact rather than help to sleep better, alcohol can actually disrupt sleep.

At first, alcohol may help people fall asleep faster, but alcohol makes the body unable to reach REM sleep cycle (sleep in) and make people wake up faster because of the impact of illness after drinking.


8. Myth: Drinking coffee could help reduce the effects of hangover

In fact coffee can cause dehydration and can make the hangover worse. Avoid caffeinated beverages and energy meninum after you have drunk.

Water is the best drink to replace electrolytes lost body, especially if you experience vomiting when drunk.

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