Sugar makes kids hyperactive
Most parents will be used to seeing their child jumping about the room like a Mexican bean after a sugar hit. However, researchers are claiming sugar is not the reason for their hyperactivity. Trials were carried out to investigate exactly how children changed according to varying levels of sugar in their diet - the results showed there was no difference between those who had sugar and those who did not. In fact, it could be more of a placebo - parents who know their child have just consumed sugar just assume their behaviour becomes more hyperactive.
You lose most of your heat through your head
It is likely your mum always told you to wear a hat when you went out in cold weather because “40-45 per cent of body heat is lost through the head” (as stated in a US Army manual). However, this statement is not true, their is nothing different about the head’s capacity to retain heat than any other part of the body. In fact if it was the case, you would be colder going out without a hat than going out with no trousers. It is just a myth that came about during a military study of people wearing Arctic clothing - minus a hat - so obviously all their heat was lost through their head. The real figure of heat lost through the head is more like 10% of body heat.
Cures for a hangover
Em, sorry to disappoint, but according to the researchers, there are none. There was no sufficient evidence to prove any remedy worked. Propranolol, tropisetron, tolfenamic acid, glucose and supplements such as borage, artichoke, prickly pear and Vegemite are all well known remedies but none could tackle that aching headache and dodgy tummy. In fact, the only way to avoid a hangover, the researchers say… is to not drink.
Suicides increase over the holidays
There’s no denying Christmas time can be harsh - cold, dark nights, family feuds, loneliness - all can add to feelings of depression. However, research would imply that although the festive season can be a difficult time, it can also bring people hope. Statistics reveal suicides actually decrease in the run up to Christmas but then go up afterwards. In addition, suicides are more prevalent in the summer than the winter.
Night food makes you fat
We are all used to hearing that the earlier you eat, the more likely you are to keep the weight off. A Swedish study discovered obese women were more likely to eat later than slim women - but they were
overweight because they ate more, which took longer to consume, not because they ate too late at night. So, it does not matter what time you fill you face - it matters what you fill it with and how much!
The research was carried out by Aaron Carroll and Rachel Vreeman of the Indiana University School of Medicine and published in the Christmas issue of the British Medical Journal
