That is the title of a new book that is out covering health myths that most of us have grown up hearing.

Things like gum takes 7 years to digest!  Going outside with wet hair in the winter will make you sick!

Taking a cue from this book, the New York Times recently ran an article presenting 11 Health Myths That May Surprise You. 

Who among us has not told our children not to swallow their gum.  I am not certain that it takes 7 years to digest (that seems a little crazy), but it certainly can not be good for your system, right?  But mostly it is one of those things you say as a parent simply because your own parents said it to you.  Along with other gems  such as “Your face is going to stick like that!”  “Carrots help you see at night!”  or “Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis.”

Those little myths and sayings are part of our collective parenting conciousness.  I know that there are more that just don’t come to mind right now.

For the record: Going out with wet hair will NOT make you sick.  Your face will NOT stick like that, even if someone does hit you on the back.  Carrots, while good for you, do nothing to improve your night vision.  And arthritis is NOT caused by cracking your knuckles.