Superstition Ain’t The Way! Old Wives’ Tales Debunked

On this episode of the pod, we take a little break from COVID-19 to debunk some common old wives' tales related to health. Lots of listeners wrote in with many great ideas, so this will be a two-parter! We kick things off by breaking down the old adage, "feed a cold, starve a fever" (and we recommend changing it to "feed a cold, feed a fever"). Next, we tackle the myth that you’ll get sick from being outside in the cold and/or going outside with wet hair in the winter (remember...correlation doesn't equal causation). Lots of people wanted us to discuss whether there's scientific support for drinking cranberry juice to treat and/or prevent urinary tract infections-- so we did! Finally, we talk about the [lack of] scientific evidence for putting raw cut onions on the soles of your feet to stave off a cold. Spoiler alert: that one really stinks! We hope you’ll tune in and enjoy!

PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals.  Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual.  As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional.  If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional. 

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

RESOURCES

• Fact or Fiction?: Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever

• Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise Review: Cold Air Depressing Immune Function in Humans

• Temp-Dependent Innate Defense Against the Common Cold Virus Limits Viral Replication at Warm Temperature in Mouse Airway Cells

• Global Influenza Seasonality: Reconciling Patterns across Temperate and Tropical Regions

• What Is A UTI?

• JAMA Study on Female Nursing Home Patients & Cranberry Capsules

• Cochrane Meta-Analysis on Cranberries and UTI’s

• Study on CranMax® and the Reduction of UTI’s

• 2013 Analysis That Found Cranberries Are Helpful in Fighting UTI’s

• 2012 Analysis That Says Cranberries Are Not Helpful in Fighting UTI’s

• Three Tips for Preventing UTI’s

• NOA on Using Raw Onions to Cure Cold/Flu

• Reflexology Review: Can It Treat Ailments and Illnesses?

• Foot Reflexology Can Make Infections Worse

• Will Putting Onions in Your Socks Cure the Flu?

• Anti-Influenza A Virus Effects of Fructan from Welsh Onion

• Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Quercetin Oxidation Products from Yellow Onion (Allium cepa) Skin