The Tales of Old Wives

Face it; we’ve all been told something totally outlandish in our day. Anything from “keep your eyes crossed and they’ll stay like that!” to “have a little hair of the dog that bit you.” What tales do you harbor that you believe in your heart of hearts to be true? Take a look at these and see if you’ve had the wool pulled over your eyes!

If a woman has a difficult childbirth, she is most likely to have a boy.

FACT

There is scientific research to back this up. Scientists believe the larger head size of males may play a role in this fact, BUT…..it doesn’t mean baby boys are at a higher risk, so don’t get on the panic train.

If you go outside with wet hair, you’ll catch a cold.

FICTION

Indeed, your head will get cold, but you can’t catch a cold that way. A cold is a virus.

A hot bath can lower a man’s fertility.

FACT

If you want to have children in your near future, jump out of that hot tub now! The effects don’t usually last more than three months, but be wary of getting in hot water if you want to populate.

Foods with mayonnaise spoil faster.

FICTION

The mild acidity slows down the spoilage process. Just don’t leave the food out in the hot weather!

Chicken soup can serve as medicine when you’re sick.

FACT

Sometimes lowers white blood cell activity and reduced inflammation. It may also reduce inflammation in your lungs. And besides, who doesn’t like a nice bowl of hot chicken soup when they’re sick?

Heartburn during pregnancy may lead to hairier than normal newborns.

FACT

Not like the Wolfman or anything, probably just more hair on their heads.

If a woman craves salty foods during her pregnancy, she’s having a boy.

FICTION

Sweet for girls and salty for boys is a completely unscientific tale. Good excuse to eat ice cream and pickles, though!

If you blow on a dandelion, the seeds that remain on the head indicate how many kids you’ll have.

FICTION

If you don’t want a basketball team for a family, you’d better blow extra hard! And although dandelions have a love/hate relationship towards humans, they make a great tea.

Eating cheese before going to bed can cause nightmares.

FACT/FICTION

Most of the articles I read say this is complete fiction. Cheeses are not known to cause nightmares, but the British did a small study with various types of cheeses and had their subjects report back on their dreams. Although they didn’t recall any nightmares, they did have some very bizarre dreams, depending on what type of cheese they ate before bedtime. You can read the whole article here: The British are coming!

On the other hand, my Mom can’t eat popcorn before bedtime, because it DOES give her nightmares. Maybe Congress should do a study on that!

Oily fish is good for your brain.

FACT

Fish contains omega-3 and omega-6 in its oils. These are critical for health, normal growth and the development and function of your brain. They also can protect against heart disease, as well as Alzheimer and rheumatoid arthritis. So please pass the lemon slices and the halibut!

Feed a cold, starve a fever.

FICTION

The real saying was “Feed a cold, stave a fever,” stave meaning prevent. Either way, you need to get enough energy, hydration and nutrition in both situations to get over both.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

FACT

Apples have Vitamin C, are low in calories and sodium and high in fiber. This doesn’t necessarily mean that if you eat apples every day of your life, you won’t need a doctor at some point in time, but as long as they’re healthy for you, take a bite out of the big apple!

Shaving makes hair grow back thicker.

FICTION

It may feel coarser, but it’s still the same texture. So don’t go shaving your head in the hopes of thicker hair next time around.

Sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes.

FICTION

At least in the modern day, radiation is no longer an issue. Back in the 1950s though, you wanted to sit away from the tube!

If you swallow gum, it stays in your system for seven years.

FICTION

Go ahead and swallow that stuff. It only takes a few days to work itself out. However, if you leave it on the bedpost overnight, it DOES lose its flavor. Don’t ask how I know this, just a memory of my misspent youth.

A full moon makes people act crazy.

FICTION

Experts say there is no validity to this one, but I have my doubts. My cats always act a little nuttier when there’s a full moon. And my Mom, who at one point in her nursing career, worked in a mental hospital, said the patients acted out a lot more as well.

Wait 30 minutes after eating before jumping into the pool.

FICTION

I was always told this tale growing up. Glad to find out it’s not true! Ready, set, dive!

Don’t eat spicy foods if you’re prone to ulcers.

FICTION

Capsaicin, which is in hot peppers, actually may help heal ulcers by stimulating blood flow to the wound (which is the ulcer). So, pass those Jalapeno Poppers!

Being cold makes it more likely for you to catch a cold.

FACT

Being cold can make you more susceptible to catching a cold. It can’t give you a cold. Viruses cause colds.

You lose most of your heat through your head.

FICTION

Don’t throw away those cute hats just yet. Although your face and head are more susceptible to the cold, adding additional clothing to any part of your body is going to reduce heat loss.

Carrots are good for your eyesight.

FACT

There is a high level of Vitamin A in carrots which is helpful in maintaining eye health. Remember that next time you feed a carrot to your rabbit. They can see a LOT better than you!

Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis.

FICTION

I’ve always heard this growing up and can’t abide the sound of someone cracking their knuckles. Guess it’s just an annoyance, not arthritis causing habit.

Fact or Fiction, some of the things that people believed were caused by ignorance, primitive living conditions (no computers or cell phones!) or experiences. Even though some of the old wives tales no longer hold water, I’m sure there are some new ones out there just ready to be exploited!