Grandparents love an old wives’ tale. ‘Starve a fever, feed a cold,’ ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ ‘eat your crusts – they make your hair curly!’ But how many of these are actually true?
We tend to take old wives’ tales with a pinch of salt – it’s only superstition after all. But how many of us still reach for the chicken soup when we’re feeling unwell?
If you’re unconvinced that your Grandma’s words of wisdom hold any truth, these 6 tales will get you thinking.
Chicken Soup Helps Beat Sickness
They say it’s good for the soul, but can chicken soup really help fight a cold? Dr. Stephen Rennardfrom the University of Nebraska Medical Center believes so.
For centuries, it has been commended for its medicinal properties, without anyone knowing exactly why. Rennard conducted a study that compared the activity of white blood cells against infection, both with and without the presence of chicken soup. He concluded that it’s the anti-inflammatory properties found in chicken soup, which work to support the immune system and relieve cold and flu-like symptoms.
More traditionally, soup offers the feel-good factor needed to recover from winter bugs. It’s warm and tasty – the perfect comfort food. Soup also keeps you hydrated and helps beat congestion, important factors when fighting a cold.
Carrots Help You See In The Dark
We can’t promise night vision, but this old wives’ tale isn’t as ridiculous as it first seems. The myth was popularised back in World War II, when the British government published a press release to fool German officials. In it, they convinced readers that the Royal Air Force’s nifty night work was thanks to a high-carrot diet; that the carrots gave them superhuman seeing powers.
Jokes aside, there is some truth in what they said. Carrots are rich in vitamin A; an essential nutrient needed for healthy vision. It helps protect the surface of the eye, reducing the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and degeneration.
Eating carrots increases your vitamin A intake and can therefore help you to see better in the dark. However, you can only see as much as humanly possible. No amount of carrots will enable you to see perfectly in complete darkness.
An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away
We’ve heard it time and time again, but does it actually mean anything? According to researchers from Cornell's Food Science and Toxicology Department in New York, apples are much more than a bite to eat. In a recent study, they found that one fresh apple contains ‘antioxidant properties equivalent to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C’ - reaching the upper limit of your recommended daily allowance.
Vitamin C is key to strengthening the immune system, protecting against cardiovascular disease and maintaining a healthy glow. However, many of an apple’s nutrients are found in its skin, so don’t peel if you want to stay fighting fit.
Fish is Brain Food
Rumour is, eating fish can make us smarter – and it’s true. Oily fish is packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy cognitive function and efficiency, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This acid plays a fundamental role in the development of nerve tissue within the brain.
By incorporating oily fish into a balanced diet, you can increase DHA levels and improve your memory/ brain performance over time. For the omega fats to work most effectively, aim to broil or grill the fish.
Parsley Cures Bad Breath
If you’re partial to a coffee or two, you might want to try shopping for parsley – it’s a natural way of dealing with bad breath. Chewing a small handful of the herb helps to neutralise toxins and keep any bad smells at bay.
Alternatively, if you don’t enjoy the taste of parsley, take your pick from other leafy greens, like peppermint and sage. These are also rich in chlorophyll; a compound packed with the anti-inflammatory properties needed to banish bad breath.
High in antioxidants, parsley deodorises the damage left by food and drink – leaving you with lovely, fresh breath that your friends will appreciate.
Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day
Sometimes busy schedules don’t leave us enough time for breakfast – you’re lucky if you grabbed a coffee! But neglecting this first meal of the day can be more damaging to your diet than you realise.
As the name says, breakfast ‘breaks-the-fast,’ providing much-needed nutrients after a long night’s rest. It restores glucose levels, improving focus and concentration, and gives you the carbs needed to work at your best. Ultimately, this meal is a vital source of energy; without it, you’re running on empty.
Instead of having an extra 10 minutes in bed, get up and prepare yourself a healthy, hearty breakfast that sets you up for the day ahead.
