Sugar makes kids hyper. That’s a fact … or is it? This is just one of many health myths that are widely known, but aren’t necessarily true. 

Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis

     According to a study by Harvard University, cracking your knuckles does not increase your risk of arthritis. The sound you hear is the popping of bubbles of synovial fluid, the fluid that lubricates your joints. However, this study also revealed that excessive knuckle cracking can affect your grip strength over time.

Peeing on a jellyfish sting helps the pain

    When stung by a jellyfish, some people think that urinating on it will help. According to the Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, urine makes matters worse in some situations by increasing your levels of pain. Instead, you should remove the tentacles and then seek medical attention. 

Chocolate causes acne

     Chocolate has been reported to cause inflammatory responses, so some believe that acne and eating chocolate correlate, but according to Healthline, there has been little proof that any single food directly causes acne. The sugar in chocolate and other sweet treats can cause a breakout, though. 

     “I don’t believe in this myth. My whole life I have eaten a lot of chocolate and I have never had acne,” junior Nathan Ford stated.

Carrots improve eyesight

     Carrots helping with bad eye sight is a common myth and there are studies that show that they do. According to the Gailey Eye Clinic, Carrots contain beta-carotene, a substance that the body converts to vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health.

Standing in the rain makes you sick

     Standing in the rain does not lead to a cold or fever, but according to the Mayo Health Clinic, the rain plays a role. The fact that your body temperature is being lowered for a prolonged period of time can make you sick. 

    “I play soccer and since we’re in Florida, it rains a lot and sometimes we have to play in the rain,” sophomore Manuel Gallon said. “When we are outside in the rain playing for a long time, I sometimes get sick, so I think this myth is true.”

Strength training stunts your growth

     Strength training “stunting growth” is a myth that has been debunked. Strength training doesn’t stunt your growth, according to University Hospitals. The problem isn’t the weights in general, but the amount of weight. So, to avoid this, it’s important to understand your lifting limits and stay cautious of not adding too much weight. 

     “I have a few friends who lifted a lot of weight when they were younger, but all of them are a good height,” freshman Logan Camprubi said.

     Whether it’s debunking the idea that sugar causes hyperactivity or clearing up misconceptions about jellyfish stings, it’s always best to trust science over the internet. Next time you hear about something like this, check if it’s real before you doubt or believe it.