Have you ever heard someone say, "Drink 8 glasses of water a day," or "Don't go outside with wet hair or you'll catch a cold"? We all have. But how true are these claims? In the age of the internet, health information spreads quickly—but not all of it is correct.

Today, let's walk through some of the most common health misunderstandings and clear them up with real facts. The truth might surprise you!

Myth 1: Cold Weather Causes the Flu

Many of us grew up hearing this one: If you don't bundle up, you'll get sick!

The truth is, the flu is caused by viruses, not cold air. While cold weather can affect our immune system slightly and people tend to stay indoors (increasing virus spread), cold temperatures alone don't make us sick.

What really matters is avoiding close contact with infected people and washing our hands often.

Myth 2: Natural Means Safe

It's easy to think that if something is "natural," it must be good for us. But that's not always the case.

• Some natural herbs can interfere with medications.

• Natural doesn't automatically mean tested or safe for all situations.

For example, raw honey is natural—but it's unsafe for babies under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism.

So, we should always read labels, check with our doctor, and not assume natural = risk-free.

Myth 3: We Only Use 10% of Our Brain

This one sounds cool, but it's completely false. Brain imaging shows that we use nearly all parts of our brain over time, even when we're resting or sleeping. While not every neuron fires at once, the idea that 90% of our brain is just "sitting there unused" is just a myth.

Let's give our brains more credit!

Myth 4: Carbs Make You Gain Weight

Carbohydrates often get blamed for weight gain, but carbs are our body's main energy source. What causes weight gain is eating more calories than we burn—whether those calories come from carbs, fats, or protein.

What matters is choosing healthy carbs (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) over processed or sugary ones.

Myth 5: You Can "Sweat Out" Toxins

We often hear that going to a sauna or doing intense exercise helps "sweat out" toxins. But in reality, our body gets rid of most toxins through the liver and kidneys, not through sweat.

Sweating is important for cooling us down—but it's not the body's main detox method.

Myth 6: If You're Thin, You're Healthy

This is one of the trickiest myths. While being overweight can increase health risks, being thin doesn't always mean we're in good shape.

• Someone can be slim but have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or poor diet habits.

• Health includes exercise, nutrition, mental well-being, and sleep—not just appearance.

It's better to aim for fitness, not just thinness.

Myth 7: Supplements Can Replace Real Food

Vitamins and supplements are helpful in certain situations, but they can't replace the variety and benefits of whole foods.

Real food gives us:

• Fiber

• Antioxidants

• Healthy fats

• Complete nutrients

We should treat supplements as a backup, not a main source of nutrition unless prescribed.

Let's Check What We Believe

We all want to stay healthy, but it starts with knowing what's real and what's not. Health myths are everywhere—on social media, from friends, even in ads. By checking our sources and understanding the truth behind common claims, we can make better choices for our well-being.

So Lykkers, how many of these myths had you believed before today? Or have you heard any other health "facts" that made you stop and wonder? Drop them in the comments—we'd love to help each other sort truth from fiction!