PRESS RELEASE: Brooke Charity
Written: Thursday 29th April, 2010
ALL A MYTH
Feed a cold, starve a fever and waiting an hour after eating before swimming are just two of the most popular myths British adults still believe in.
Incredibly, despite science proving many of these myths hold no weight at all folk prefer to buy into more traditional practices to keep well.
Brits still believe that you lose most of your body heat through your head, and that you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
The poll of 3,000 Brits, carried out by the Brooke charity, shows people often choose to respect superstitions and cultural beliefs to relieve ailments, rather than something which has been proved as correct by medical breakthrough.
Yesterday Sharon Schofield, Director of Fundraising for the working equine animal charity, said: “The findings clearly show that Brits are still resorting to old practices and methods which are passed down from generation to generation.
“The same can be said for the communities the Brooke works with in developing countries”.
“Our vets often come across working horses and donkeys which have been treated using traditional practices that have been handed down over generations, such as slitting an animal’s nostrils in the belief it will help it breathe easier.
“Similarly, this research shows that in the UK we are more likely to believe something our grandparents or parents once did to relieve ailments, rather than something which has been proved as correct by medical breakthroughs. People trust deep-rooted traditions and beliefs.”
The study reveals four in 10 people are convinced that urinating on a jelly fish sting is the best way to cure it, and 36 per cent believe you can catch a cold by going outside with wet hair.
And according to Brits - cracking knuckles will give you arthritis, eating carrots will improve eyesight and eating too much sugar will bring on diabetes.
Other old wives tales which are used across the country every day include tipping the head back to relieve a nose bleed and eating an apple between meals to keep teeth clean.
The poll shows 72 per cent of people often repeat old wives tales they have heard from their grandparents or parents to their own friends and children.
And 69 per cent would continue to repeat myths they have heard, even if they are not sure they really believe in them.
But more than half of those polled absolutely swear by old wives tales and say they have worked for them before.
Fifteen per cent of parents insist that if a pregnant woman is carrying low it’s a boy, high it’s a girl – and they also say she should be eating enough food to feed two people over the course of nine months.
Unbelievably, one in 10 people will only eat shellfish if there is an ‘r’ in the month, and eight per cent honestly think sitting on a radiator will give them piles.
Sharon Schofield for the Brooke added: “Incredibly, despite many of these long-standing myths holding no weight at all, people still prefer to buy into more traditional practices to keep themselves and their animals well.
“While some treatments have benefits, some do more harm than good, as we often see in our projects for working horses and donkeys in developing countries.”
MOST BELIEVED OLD WIVES TALES
1. Wait an hour after swimming before eating
2. You lose most of your body heat through your head
3. You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day
4. Feed a cold, starve a fever
5. You should urinate on a jelly fish sting
6. If you go outside with wet hair you’ll catch a cold
7. Cracking knuckles causes arthritis
8. Eating carrots will improve your eyesight
9. Copper bracelets help sooth arthritis
10. You should tip your head back to relieve a nose bleed
11. Brushing your teeth straight after eating stops decay
12. Eating too much sugar triggers diabetes
13. Swallowed chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years
14. An apple between meals keeps teeth clean
15. If you sneeze with your eyes open they will pop out
16. If a pregnant woman is carrying low it’s a boy, high it’s a girl
17. Pregnant women should eat for two
18. Spicy food will give you ulcers
19. Only eat shellfish when there is an ‘r’ in the month
20. Sitting on a hot radiator will give you piles
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
- Bookmark:
- Del.icio.us
- Digg
- StumbleUpon
Terms and Conditions |
Privacy Policy |
FAQ's |
Site Map |
Press Archive |
BLOG |
© 2008 OnePoll.com - Tel: +44 (0)117 9066 555 - Email: infoonepoll.com
Site Design and Development by
