Winter lie 1: If you go outside you'll catch a cold
It's time to say goodbye to the most common excuse for skipping winter exercise sessions. Far from causing a cold, going outside when temperatures are low can actually help prevent you catching one. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine found that people who were exposed to low temperatures were no more likely to become ill than a control group kept in a warm environment. It's thought that the opposite is actually true – more people get colds in winter because they are more likely to stay inside, therefore coming into contact with other people more frequently and passing on the cold virus.
Winter lie 2: Turkey makes you tired
Feeling sleepy around late afternoon on Christmas day is almost seen as inevitable, because supposedly turkey makes you feel tired. Not true. Although turkey does contain tryptophan (the amino acid that induces tiredness), according to the American Dietetic Association turkey contains no more of it than other poultry, and even less than chicken.
It's in fact the high amount of carbs commonly eaten during winter meals that causes this tiredness, as they increase the concentration of tryptophan in your blood. To make sure you feel energised throughout winter, make sure your balance out the carbs with plenty of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables.
It's in fact the high amount of carbs commonly eaten during winter meals that causes this tiredness, as they increase the concentration of tryptophan in your blood. To make sure you feel energised throughout winter, make sure your balance out the carbs with plenty of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables.
Winter lie 3: You don't need sun cream during winter
No doubt you associate sun cream with scorching hot days at the beach rather than snow and lower temperatures. Turns out you're not alone – a study published in the Archives of Dermatologyinterviewed skiers, and found that the majority of them took only occasional precautions against the sun, if any at all.
However, measurements of UV radiation around where the study was conducted found it to be extremely high, even in areas where skiers were not taking any precautions. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays that hit it. Compare that to grass and sand, which reflect 3% and 25% of UV rays respectively, and you'll quickly see why protecting yourself from the sun in winter is extremely important.
However, measurements of UV radiation around where the study was conducted found it to be extremely high, even in areas where skiers were not taking any precautions. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays that hit it. Compare that to grass and sand, which reflect 3% and 25% of UV rays respectively, and you'll quickly see why protecting yourself from the sun in winter is extremely important.
Winter lie 4: Gaining weight in winter is normal
Sure you've put on a few pounds over winter, but that's fine because so does everyone else, right? Well, not quite. Although most people assume that they put on an average of 5lbs (2.2kg) during winter, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine only one in 10 people actually gain this much. That means if you are actually gaining that much weight, it's not normal. Although fattening foods are more commonly available during winter and over the festive period, make sure you strike a fine balance with eating healthier foods and doing some exercise to avoid any unwanted festive-fattening.
Winter lie 5: Alcohol warms you up
While drinking alcohol might make you feel warmer, it doesn't actually keep your body warm. Instead, it makes your body colder. According to experts from the University of Iowa, drinking just one alcoholic beverage causes your blood vessels to dilate and inhibits your body's ability to regulate its temperature. Although this brings more blood towards your skin and makes you feel warmer, your core temperature will actually be dropping. On top of that alcohol reduces the amount that you shiver, which is one of the main ways your body keeps itself warm when the weather is cold.
