Hello everyone, below are common misconceptions. This list corrects erroneous beliefs that are currently widely held about notable topics. Each misconception and the corresponding facts have been discussed in published literature. Note that each entry is formatted as a correction; the misconceptions themselves are implied rather than stated.
- Sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children. Double-blind trials have shown no difference in behavior between children given sugar-full or sugar-free diets, even in studies specifically looking at children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or those considered sensitive to sugar.
- Humans cannot catch warts from toads or other animals; the bumps on a toad are not warts. Warts on human skin are caused by viruses that are unique to humans (human papillomavirus).
- Neither cracking one's knuckles nor exercising while in good health causes osteoarthritis.
- Alcoholic beverages do not make one warmer. The reason that alcoholic drinks create the sensation of warmth is that they cause blood vessels to dilate and stimulate nerve endings near the surface of the skin with an influx of warm blood. This can actually result in making the core body temperature lower, as it allows for easier heat exchange with a cold external environment.
- Eight glasses or two to three liters of water a day are not needed to maintain health. The amount of water needed varies by person (weight), activity level, clothing, and environment (heat and humidity). Water actually need not be drunk in pure form, but can be derived from liquids such as juices, tea, milk, soups, etc., and from foods including fruits and vegetables.
- It is a common misconception that hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant or antiseptic for treating wounds.
And finally,
- The Quran does not promise martyrs 72 virgins in heaven. It does mention virgin companions, houri, to all people—martyr or not—in heaven, but no number is specified. The source for the 72 virgins is a hadith in Sunan al-Tirmidhi by Imam Tirmidhi. Hadiths are sayings and acts of the prophet Mohammed as reported by others, and as such they are not part of the Quran itself. Muslims are not meant to necessarily believe all hadiths, and that applies particularly to those hadiths that are weakly sourced, such as this one. Furthermore, the correct translation of this hadith is a matter of debate.
This incomplete list is not intended to be exhaustive, watch this space for a more comprehensive list in my next edition of 'I Thought You Knew'
Have a wonderful weekend!
Have a wonderful weekend!