Wellness Wednesday: "Momma was Wrong!"

by:Tasha

We all have heard them.  Those catchy health phrases that are suppose to remind us to eat right and be well....

 "An apple a day will keep the doctor away!"  

 "Feed a cold, starve a fever!"

 Well according to health.com, here are 5 health myths that you can stop stressing about! (Mom, we still love you!!)

1. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.  YES, water is great for you!  And it is mostly what your body is made of.  However, you can also obtain water through fruits, veggies (which most of us don't eat), juices, teas, coffee...yes COFFEE! (Coffee and tea are my friends, which brings me to our next myth.)

Note: If you workout, you will be losing fluids and they will need to be replaced with water or a nutritional drink!!

2. Coffee is the devil.  Coffee actually contains phytochemicals that contain antioxidants that will help fight against free radicals within the body.  Huh??  In other words... Drinking coffee (in moderation) can be good for you since it is made from plants that contain substances that help repair our cells.  However, I don't suggest drinking coffee in large amounts due to the amount of caffeine it contains.  Obtain the antioxidants from other food choices such as fruits and veggies.

3. I caught a cold because it was cold outside. *blank stare*  Germs... aka bacteria and viruses, etc. are the reasons why we become sick.  Unless you are suffering from hypothermia, in which the body's defenses are destroyed (immune system), then "being cold" isn't the blame for your fever, cough, runny nose, symptoms that you may have experienced.   If your immune system needs a boost, then may I suggest you look at your diet and incorporate those things that supports a healthy immune system.  Which brings us to our last myth...

4. Feed a cold, starve a fever!  While eating soups, drinking teas, and hot toddys may make us feel better, truthfully, the cold virus will run its course (which is about 10 days).  Eating and drinking are needed to help the body to fight the virus.

For more information regarding your health or health myths, please visit health.com.

Please leave your comments below.  Thanks for reading!