Americans still believe these wives' tales help their health, according to research

The average American feels “perfectly healthy” less than half of the year, according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 people found that the average respondent experiences 12 days a month with no aches, pain or discomfort ‒ which adds up to just 144 days per year.It’s not a surprise then that people turn to time-honored methods to relieve their ailments ‒ 51 percent admitted to currently believing in at least one old wives' tale.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Probiogen, examined the little ailments people face and the old wives' tales they believe.

Results revealed that 42 percent of respondents currently think cracking their knuckles will result in arthritis.

But Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Anthony Kouri, MD, revealed some truths about old wives' tales. “In reality, cracking your knuckles is not doing any damage,” he said. “The sound from the cracking is your synovial fluid bubbles in your joints just popping, which can cause some swelling in the hands or in joints, but likely does not lead to arthritis or long-term damage.”

Meanwhile, 42 percent of respondents don’t think eating carrots will improve eyesight – however, that’s not true.

Dr. Kouri explained, “The main vitamin in carrots is Vitamin A and that is critical in the eye’s ability to translate light into something that it can understand.”

Respondents knew there is something in the classic saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” seeing as 49 percent of people still believe it.

“That is most likely true. Not specifically an apple necessarily, but studies have statistically shown that people who eat fruits and vegetables everyday are especially healthy. Fruits and vegetables contain several antioxidants and several vitamins and nutrients that fight free radicals in the body,” Dr. Kouri explained.

It’s not surprising that many people still believe in old wives' tales, since 64 percent have tried a home remedy for an ailment.

“What this survey shows is that people are interested in natural remedies to support them during times of discomfort. It is encouraging to see people turning to products with naturally occurring nutrients to support their overall wellness," said a spokesperson for Probiogen. "When we take a closer look at what the body naturally generates to support itself, vitamins and minerals take center stage, but we can find additional remedies – such as probiotics which naturally occur in the gut – that can also ease common discomforts.”

Even still, 51 percent have never tried a probiotic, and of those a quarter of those surveyed would consider trying one.

There is still a lot about probiotics that people don’t know. Only 28 percent know what “survivability” is when it comes to probiotics, while 16 percent admitted to having no idea.

“Plenty of leading brands’ probiotics boast high CFUs, but can only guarantee potency at the time of manufacture, meaning these strains may not survive on the shelf, let alone when traveling through the harsh gastric system," added the spokesperson for Probiogen. "In order for probiotics to be truly effective, they must arrive to the site of action alive  The probiotics found in Probiogen formulas are proven to survive 100x better than leading probiotics and yogurt, meaning more probiotics arrive alive in the gut to support internal balance, healthy immunity and vitality from the inside out.”

OLD WIVES' TALES WE STILL BELIEVE
45 percent believe sleeping with wet hair will result in a cold
41 percent believe eating chocolate causes acne
42 percent believe cracking knuckles causes arthritis
53 percent believe carrots improves eyesight
45 percent believe spices clear sinuses
41 percent believe chocolate is an aphrodisiac
48 percent believe eggs raise cholesterol
39 percent think coffee will stunt growth
55 percent think milk builds strong bones
49 percent think an apple a day will keep the doctor away
47 percent think orange juice can prevent a cold
40 percent think eating turkey makes you tired
39 percent believe it takes seven years for swallowed gum to digest
47 percent think chicken noodle soup clears colds
39 percent think caffeine stunts growth
44 percent believe you should feed a fever and starve a cold

WHAT RESPONDENTS WOULD DO FOR A YEAR OF PERFECT HEALTH
1. Eat peanut butter and jelly for every meal         35%
2. Watch no reality TV                                           30%
3. Have a fog horn as your morning alarm            30%
4. Walk exclusively backwards                              29%
5. Listen to only pop music                                    28%
6. No social media                                                 27%
7. Break up with your partner                                27%
8. Give up your car                                                27%
9. Watch no sporting events                                  26%

DIGESTION ISSUE SOLUTIONS
1. Water                                48%
2. Yogurt                               41%
3. Lemon                               39%
4. Ginger                               39%
5. Apples                               37%
6. Fiber supplements             33%
7. Probiotics                           28%
8. Smoothies                          28%
9. Zinc                                    28%
10. Bone broth                       23%
11. Chia seeds                       23%
12. Beets                                23%
13. Glutamine                         23%

THINGS PEOPLE DO WHEN A COLD COMES ON
1. Hot tea with lemon                        46%
2. Drink lots of water                         44%
3. Buy chicken soup                          44%
4. Drink orange juice                         42%
5. Go to bed                                      38%
6. Eat ginger                                      37%
7. Go to the gym/workout                  36%
8. Take a shower                               33%
9. Change the bedsheets                  28%