Old wives' tales conjure up images of an elderly woman dispensing wisdom to the younger generation. These tales are essentially myths or legends that have been passed down through the years, and they often have to do with important everyday matters such as your health. They don't just come from grandma, though -- you're just as likely to hear them from colleagues, read them in books and see them mentioned on TV.
Because we're likely to hear the same tale from multiple sources we consider credible, we tend to take old wives' tales as fact without doing further research. Everybody knows bread crusts are good for you -- right? And an apple a day will keep the doctor away?
More Health Myths |
These tales usually have some basis in fact, but most of the time they're based on hearsay, superstitions, misunderstandings or misinterpretations of actual facts. Often, old wives' tales function as warnings to make us change our behavior. If people generally tend toward a behavior that's considered unsavory or unattractive, for example, a dire warning about the consequences of that behavior -- even if it's not actually true -- can be enough to discourage it.
Although you may not have believed all five of the old wives' tales about your health that we're about to dispel, you've probably heard of most of them. After reading this article, you might even change the way you think. If you're considering having a baby and you're also a cat owner, for example, at some point, you're likely to hear the health-related old wives' tale on the next page.
Learn more about what ails you. Here are some common symptoms.
A comprehensive guide with three thousand articles, including images and multimedia.
