Common Healthcare Myths and To What Extent are They True?

Some beliefs stick with us not because they are true, but because we heard them early and often. Maybe it was a parent warning you that going out in the cold would make you sick, or a friend advising you not to crack your knuckles. Over time, these warnings start to feel like common sense and are rarely questioned. Now, with better access to science and research than ever, it is worth asking: Which of these health claims were ever real to begin with?

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Being Cold Gives You a Cold

There is no evidence to suggest that simply being out in the cold will cause you to catch a cold. So, why does this belief persist? Well, colds are more common in winter. However, it is not the temperature that is the problem, but rather proximity. During the cold winter season, people spend more time indoors in close contact with others, making it easier for viruses to spread. 

Still, cold weather might play a small indirect role. Some studies suggest that breathing in cold, dry air can weaken your body’s first line of defence. This includes mucus and tiny hair-like structures called cilia that line your airways and work together to trap and remove dust, mould, and viruses. However, when the air is cold and dry, this protective lining becomes less effective. Without enough moisture, it is easier for viruses to get deeper into the respiratory system. Moreover, cilia, which usually move in steady rhythms to clear the airways, can slow down in cold air and become less effective. The body often responds by producing more mucus to compensate for the dryness, but if it can’t be cleared properly, it can start to build up. This can lead to symptoms like coughing, congestion, or shortness of breath. 

In summary, it is not the cold itself that causes illness, but the way our bodies respond to it: creating conditions where viruses can spread more easily. Cold, dry air can weaken our body’s defence systems, but getting sick still requires exposure to a virus. 

Cracking Knuckles Causes Arthritis

The popular phrase, “Don’t crack your knuckles or you will get arthritis!” has led many to investigate whether there is any actual harm in the habit. One person, Dr. Donald Unger, took this question and conducted a small experiment on himself. For over 50 years, he cracked the knuckles on his left hand while leaving his right hand alone. The result? No difference between the two, and he never developed arthritis. Additionally, a 2011 study published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine looked at a group of 215 people and found no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis. So, where does this misconception come from?

The idea that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis likely stems from the popping sound. Contrary to popular belief, that familiar pop is not your bones grinding or cartilage wearing down. It is actually the sound of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid, a liquid present in joints that allows for a wider range of motion. When you pull or bend your fingers, pressure within the joint space drops, causing gases like nitrogen to come out and create a bubble. The pop is a result of that bubble rapidly forming or bursting, which is completely harmless.

That said, the habit is not completely without consequence. In some cases, repeated knuckle cracking has been linked to reduced grip strength and occasional injuries. Most medical professionals agree that if the joint is not painful, cracking it occasionally is not harmful. However, if cracking becomes constant or if pressure or discomfort is building up before cracking, it may suggest an underlying issue. In those cases, it is worth getting checked out. So while cracking your knuckles will not give you arthritis, paying attention to how often and why you do it can still help you avoid other joint issues down the line.

Coffee Stunts Growth

This claim came from the belief that coffee causes osteoporosis, a condition that has been loosely linked to height loss. Early studies suggested that caffeine might reduce calcium absorption in the body, leading to fears that drinking coffee could weaken bones over time. Since osteoporosis causes bones to become more fragile and, in some cases, leads to loss of height in adults, people began to associate coffee with both osteoporosis and stunted growth.

However, modern research shows that moderate caffeine intake, 1-2 cups a day, does not significantly affect bone health, and even osteoporosis does not reduce height in the way most people assume. Caffeine can slightly reduce calcium absorption and increase calcium loss through urine. However, the effect on bone health is small, and it is said that just 2 tablespoons of milk can offset it. Meanwhile, osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones. It makes them thinner and less dense than they should be, increasing the risk of fractures. People with severe osteoporosis can lose height over time due to spinal compression, but this process is completely different from not growing tall in the first place. 

To conclude, coffee does not stunt your growth. Your final height is mostly determined by genetics, proper nutrition, and overall health during developmental years. Nonetheless, this does not mean excessive coffee consumption is a healthy habit for teenagers, as it can still affect sleep, anxiety levels, and appetite—it just will not make you any shorter. Likewise, skipping a morning coffee will not make you any taller.

Conclusion

A lot of health claims get passed around without much thought. Sometimes, because they sound scientific and sometimes, just because they have been said enough times. These claims tend to last because they give simple answers to complicated problems. But when it comes to health, not everything is always as clear-cut as it seems. Taking a moment to question where these claims came from can make all the difference!

References

“BBC Two - Trust Me, I'm a Doctor, Series 1 - Will cracking my knuckles give me arthritis?” BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4yHxWLGSyNrXmx1gfYd45f2/will-cracking-my-knuckles-give-me-arthritis 

“Can Coffee Really Stunt Your Growth?” Harvard Health, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-coffee-really-stunt-your-growth 

“The impact of cold on the respiratory tract and its consequences to respiratory health.” PubMed Central, 30 May 2018, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031196/ 

“What To Know About Joint Noises.” Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, 30 October 2023, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/snap-crackle-pop-need-know-joint-noises