Holiday Health Myth Busters
Among the secret that Santa Claus isn’t real, the holidays are full of myths. Here are some of the top myths debunked!
- Weight gain is inevitable. Americans believe they gain up to five pounds throughout the holiday season from all the sweet treats and meals. In reality, the average person only gains one pound. The real problem is Americans don’t lose the weight after the holidays.
- Poinsettias are toxic. Some people believe this festive plant contains toxic petals. Although the sap might cause a rash to people with latex allergies, the average child would have to eat 500 poinsettia leaves to reach a dangerous dose.
- We lose heat through our head. We all have heard our parents harp on us to wear a hat during the winter. We believe that we have to keep our heads warm because most of our body heat is lost through them. But scientists have discovered that your head only loses about 7% of your body heat.
- Tryptophan makes you sleepy. Tyrtophan is blamed for making people sleepy after a hearty portion of turkey. While turkey does contain the chemical, other foods contain much more. The real cause for sleepiness is due to the carbs you consume.
Tags: health, holiday health