Sleeping on your back encourages snoring
True
‘Gravity pulls your tongue to the back of your throat and blocks the airways. As the air struggles to get down into the lungs your tongue vibrates up and down, which can result in a cacophony of grunts,’ explains Marianne Davey, co-founder of the British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association. It is far better to sleep on your side. Of course there is no guarantee you will stay in this position but it can help to start off the night lying on your side with your arms wrapped round a pillow.
Copper bracelets help soothe arthritis
False
Although many people with arthritis wear copper bracelets, there is no scientific evidence to support this one. ‘Research shows people with arthritis do have enough copper in their bodies, so it is difficult to understand what effects these bangles can have,’ says Jane Tadman, spokesperson for the Arthritis Research Campaign. ‘It could be the placebo affect at work in people who report that their pain has lessened when wearing a copper bracelet,’ she adds.
Eating boiled eggs can make you constipated
False
‘Any high-fat, low-fibre food such as boiled eggs could contribute to constipation, but you would have to eat an awful lot to make you constipated,’ says GP Rob Hicks. A lack of fibre and fluid in your diet, too much stress and not answering nature’s call are more common causes of constipation.
Pull a grey hair out and you can expect two in its place
False
‘You can expect to get one back but not two,’ says Marilyn Sherlock of the Institute of Tricologists. ‘It takes about three months for a new hair to grow and another three before you notice it, so if you are going grey, by the time the one you pulled out grows back a few more will have appeared nearby, making it look as if two have grown in its place.’
Eating spicy foods can give you an ulcer
False
Spices
‘They may give you indigestion or acid reflux but spicy foods won’t give you an ulcer, although they may irritate one you already have,’ explains GP Rob Hicks. Most stomach ulcers are caused by an infection from the bacterium helicobacter pylori or by an overuse of anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Sitting too close to the TV can damage your eyesight
False
‘Getting up close and personal with the TV screen may give you a headache or make your eyes tired, but it won’t cause permanent damage to your sight,’ says Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists. She also recommends watching TV with the lights on, rather than off, as watching in the dark is more likely to cause headaches and tired eye symptoms.
Cloves help relieve toothache
True
Cloves and clove oil contain sedative properties that can help numb the tooth temporarily, says a spokesman for the British Dental Health Foundation. But, they warn, cloves should only be used in an emergency. ‘ If clove oil runs on to the gums it can burn them and can even lead to ulceration, which can turn out to be more painful than the toothache itself. The only answer to toothache is to book yourself into the dentist as soon as you can.’
