Half of medical knowledge can put your health at risk

Carrots improve eyesight

Children in particular are drawn to the wisdom that carrots are good for the eyes. Crunchy vegetables are very healthy, but you can eat as many carrots as you want without improving your eyesight. Carrots contain valuable beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A – without it we would be blind. With a normal diet, however, people get enough vitamin A anyway.

Eating late makes you fat

There is no clear answer, even scientific studies contradict each other. Researchers from the University of Turin claim that eating a lot in the evening increases the risk of obesity. The German Nutrition Society, on the other hand, comes to the conclusion that the amount of energy consumed and consumed throughout the day is decisive for maintaining, gaining or losing weight.

When I follow a salt-free diet, my blood pressure drops so much that the medications for it become superfluous.

Most Swiss consume too much salt: on average 8 to 10 grams per day instead of a maximum of 5 grams, we get most of it in finished products such as sausages, ready meals or even cheese and bread. The Swiss Nutrition Society says that around half of all people with high blood pressure can reduce it with a low-salt diet – but antihypertensive drugs aren’t superfluous. She also doesn’t think it makes sense to eat without salt. The intake of blood pressure medication can only be changed in consultation with the doctor.

Get a heart checkup for free

Cardiovascular diseases are also the number one cause of death in Switzerland and in many cases fatal illnesses such as heart attacks or strokes occur without warning. However, around 90% of all heart attacks or strokes are caused by risk factors that can be measured and influenced, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you know your worth, you can do something important for your health early and preventively. That’s why the Swiss Heart Foundation recommends having your values ​​measured at least once by a specialist as a young adult – even if you feel fit. Order a voucher for a free HerzCheck®. It can be carried out in approximately 500 approved pharmacies.

Cardiovascular diseases are also the number one cause of death in Switzerland and in many cases fatal illnesses such as heart attacks or strokes occur without warning. However, around 90% of all heart attacks or strokes are caused by risk factors that can be measured and influenced, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you know your worth, you can do something important for your health early and preventively. That’s why the Swiss Heart Foundation recommends having your values ​​measured at least once by a specialist as a young adult – even if you feel fit. Order a voucher for a free HerzCheck®. It can be carried out in approximately 500 approved pharmacies.

A cherry after the fondue helps digestion

No, it’s the opposite. The body first devotes itself to alcohol – and thus delays the digestion of fat. Nevertheless, one often feels better after a schnapps. The reason: alcohol numbs the nerves of the stomach a little and reduces the feeling of satiety. But a special schnapps can really help: herbal schnapps. The herbs and not the alcohol are responsible for this. The same effect can therefore be obtained with herbal tea.

A young heart doesn’t get sick

Cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart failure, hardening of the arteries and diabetes are mostly signs of old age. And it is also true that the heart and the circulatory system perform better in young people. However, heart and vascular diseases can be congenital. Metabolic diseases or secondary diseases caused by infections can also cause cardiovascular problems in young people. A heart attack before the age of 40 is even possible, for example due to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited metabolic disease. Early treatment can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack.

In hot weather, you break down alcohol faster because you sweat

No, it’s a fairy tale. 95% of alcohol is broken down in the liver. And she is not particularly in a hurry: she breaks down 0.1 to a maximum of 0.2 per thousand per hour. 3-4% are expired, hence the flag. Only a negligible amount of alcohol is transpired through the skin – 1-2%.

Tilting your head back helps relieve nosebleeds

If blood suddenly flows from your nose, you reflexively throw your head back. It’s understandable, but the wrong reaction. Because blood flows down the throat and can enter the stomach, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. It is best to sit up straight so the blood can drain through the nose. What helps: pinching your nose with your fingers for a few minutes. And place a damp, cold cloth on the bridge of your nose and the back of your neck.

Eggs raise cholesterol levels

It’s a culinary fairy tale. Although eggs contain a lot of cholesterol for their size, dietary cholesterol has little effect on blood cholesterol levels. The whole lifestyle is much more important: an unbalanced and high-fat diet as well as too little exercise and smoking are the main risk factors. High cholesterol is also known as a “silent killer”. You don’t feel it, but it gradually damages blood vessels.

Coca-Cola relieves nausea

Coca-Cola itself writes on the website: “Of course, Coca-Cola has not been medically proven to help fight gastrointestinal infections. Nevertheless, you may subjectively feel better if you consume Coca-Cola.” Nutritionists warn against cola for nausea: With its high concentration of sugar, the drink can even aggravate intestinal problems.

A digestive walk helps

Right! Unlike alcohol, walking significantly speeds up digestion. The movement means food is digested faster and doesn’t stay in the gastrointestinal tract too long. Incorporating regular exercise into everyday life is recommended one way or another. Physical activity is the best medicine for the heart and blood vessels.