In a study published in the Christmas 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal, Aaron Carroll, M.D., M.S., and Rachel Vreeman, M.D., M.S., of the Indiana University School of Medicine, explore the science behind six myths commonly associated with the holidays yet relevant year-round.

Myths

Myth 1: Sugar makes kids hyperactive

Truth: It isn’t so. In at least 12 double-blinded, randomized, controlled trials, scientists have examined how children react to diets containing different levels of sugar. None of these studies, not even studies looking specifically at children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, could detect any differences in behavior between the children who had sugar and those who did not. What researchers found, though, is that parents who were told their kids had consumed sugar rated their child’s behavior as more hyperactive, whether the kids actually consumed the sugar or not.

Myth 2: The number of suicides increase over the holidays

Again, not true. Studies conducted around the globe show that, while the holidays may be a difficult time for some, there is no scientific evidence to suggest a holiday peak in suicides. It’s during the warmer month that suicide rates peak.

Myth 3: Poinsettias are toxic

This is another myth. Almost 23,000 people have reported poinsettia poisoning. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, nobody has has _ever_ died from it. Feeding poinsettias to rats doesn’t poison them, even in doses that would equal eating hundreds of plants for humans.

Myth 4: You lose most of your body heat through your head

Well you do if that’s the only part of your body uncovered. Body loss studies of people wearing swim suits show that an uncovered head lost heat no faster than the rest of the body. The original military studies that reported 90% heat loss through the head were conducted on soldiers who were otherwise well bundled.

Myth 5: Eating at night makes you fat

Studies reveal no difference between calories consumed just before bedtime and those eaten during the day. The problem with late night snacks is that they are usually extra empty calories. Too many calories trigger weight gain no matter when eaten.

Myth 6: Hangover cures help

Sorry, no cure of any kind has been proven to reduce hangovers. If you drank that much you will feel the effects. Period.

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