18/05/2025

ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2025 theSunday Special VIII Health myths Malaysians still trust F ROM traditional home remedies to popular health trends shared on social media, Malay sians frequently rely on beliefs passed down through generations. It’s time to put some of these persistent health myths to rest, using clear evidence and thorough research to reveal the truth. WKH\ DUH imarily O LQIHF

VFLHQWL¿F UHVHDUFK FRQ¿UPV WKH\ DUH not the cause. Ulcers are primarily WULJJHUHG E\ VSHFL¿F EDFWHULDO LQIHF tions or the frequent use of certain medications, not by chillies or spices. Evidence: Studies by the Mayo Clinic show that ulcers are mainly caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rather than dietary spices. ayo mainly Helicobacter of non-steroidal rather than dietary

MYTH: Eating spicy food causes ulcers TRUTH: Spicy foods don’t cause ulcers Many Malaysians avoid spicy dishes because they believe they will cause stomach ulcers. While it’s true that spicy foods might irritate existing stomach issues, MYTH: Cold weather makes you sick TRUTH: Viruses cause colds, not cold weather It’s common in Malaysian households to caution against getting wet in the rain or overusing air conditioning, as it is believed to lead directly to colds. Cold weather itself isn’t the culprit, viruses are. The real reason illness spreads more in colder weather is that people spend more time indoors, increasing the spread of viruses. Evidence: According to the Forest Stewardship Council, resA publication in the New England Journal of Medicine FRQ¿UPV WKDW YLUXVHV VSUHDG PRUH Ḣ FLHQWO\ LQ HQFORVHG poorly ventilated indoor environments during colder weather, not because of the cold itself.

MYTH: Organic foods are always healthier TRUTH: Organic food is not inherently healthier T KHUH LV D FRPPRQ EHOLHI WKDW RUJDQLF SURGXFWV R̆ HU VXEVWDQWLDO QXWULWLRQDO EHQH¿WV :KLOH RUJDQLF SURGXFH UHGXFHV SHVWLFLGH H[SRVXUH VWXGLHV UHYHDO PLQLPDO GL̆ HU ences in nutrient levels between organic and conventional foods. Therefore, choosing organic should focus more on reducing chemical exposure and environmental impacts, rather than nutritional superiority. Evidence: A comprehensive review by Stanford Uni YHUVLW\ IRXQG QR VLJQL¿FDQW HYLGHQFH WKDW RUJDQLF IRRGV contain more nutrients than conventionally farmed foods, despite lower pesticide levels.

MYTH:N DWXUDO VXJDU LV KHDOWKLHU WKDQ UH¿QHG sugar TRUTH: Your body treats all sugars similarly Many believe that sugars from honey, coconut or fruits DUH VLJQL¿FDQWO\ KHDOWKLHU WKDQ UH¿QHG sugar. While natural sugars may carry VRPH PLQRU QXWULHQWV WKHVH GL̆ HU HQFHV KDYH OLWWOH KHDOWK EHQH¿W 7KH body processes sugar similarly, regardless of its source, meaning that natural sugars can also impact blood sugar levels and health if consumed excessively. Evidence: According to Harvard Medical School, all sugars, including QDWXUDO YDULHWLHV VLPLODUO\ D̆ HFW \RXU ERG\¶V insulin response and overall metabolic health. \ While natural sugars may carry PLQRU QXWULHQWV WKHVH GL̆ HU KDYH OLWWOH KHDOWK EHQH¿W 7KH dy processes sugar similarly, egardless of its source, meaning dence: School, all sugars, including WLHV VLPLODUO\ D̆ HFW \RXU ERG\¶V and overall metabolic health.

MYTH:D ULQNLQJ FR̆ HH VWXQWV \RXU JURZWK TRUTH: C R̆ HH GRHV QRW D̆ HFW JURZWK Many Malaysian parents discourage their children IURP GULQNLQJ FR̆ HH IHDULQJ LW ZLOO VWXQW WKHLU JURZWK 6FLHQWL¿F UHVHDUFK KRZHYHU LQGLFDWHV QR OLQN EHWZHHQ FR̆ HH FRQVXPSWLRQ DQG LPSDLUHG JURZWK RU ERQH development. Coffee may affect sleep or anxiety levels in adolescents, but it has no proven impact on physical growth.

Evidence: Johns Hopkins Medicine and the American Academy of 3DHGLDWULFV FRQ¿UP QR UHODWLRQ VKLS EHWZHHQ PRGHUDWH FR̆ HH intake and changes in growth or bone health. ns Medicine demy of DWLRQ FR̆ HH owth