It is fairly uncommon to stumble across several concepts and myths that have been passed down from generation to generation. As we get older, we understand that some of the things we believed as children were simply false. These ideas were typically passed down from our parents or other family members in order to keep us safe or teach us crucial lessons. While some of these may be true, others are absolutely false and may even be harmful. It is critical to distinguish between fact and fiction and to comprehend the truth behind these prevalent misconceptions. In this blog, we will explore seven popular beliefs and myths and examine their validity.

1) Eating seeds will make your stomach grow a tree

This myth is a widespread concept that has been around for generations, and it is a familiar myth that many of us may have heard as youngsters. The belief is that if you swallow seeds, they will grow into a tree inside your stomach. However, this is far from the case. Our stomach acid is strong enough to break down and digest the majority of the seeds we eat. In reality, many of the seeds we eat, such as sunflower seeds, jackfruit, and cannabis seeds, are high in nutrition.

2) Making noise attracts ghosts

This superstition has spread throughout many civilizations, with the assumption being that loud noises attract spirits and ghosts. However, there is no scientific data to back up the aforementioned claim. While some cultures believe in the existence of ghosts and spirits, there is no rational justification to believe that they are drawn to noise.

3) Wasting food is killing kids in Africa

This notion is frequently used to guilt individuals into not wasting food. True, there are individuals in Africa and other regions of the world who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. However, the issue is more than just food waste. Poverty, a lack of access to education, and political instability are all complex challenges that lead to food insecurity.

4) Money comes from a tree

This belief is often used as a way to highlight the value of nature and the environment. However, it is not literally true. While trees can provide us with many valuable resources, such as timber and paper, money is a human invention that cannot be grown or produced in nature.

5) World will end in 2012

This belief was popularised by the Mayan calendar, which many people believed predicted the end of the world in 2012. However, this belief has been debunked by historians and scientists. The Mayan calendar simply marked the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one.

6) Swallowed gum doesn't digest for seven years

This widespread misconception has been around for a while. According to the myth, chewing gum will cause it to remain in your stomach for seven (or more) years since it cannot be digested. This, however, is untrue. Even though gum is hard to digest, it will eventually go through your system and be eliminated like any other waste.

7) The 5-second rule

The 5-second rule claims that if you drop food on the floor, it is still safe to eat as long as you pick it up within five seconds. This, however, is not the case because bacteria can move to food almost rapidly when they come into contact with the floor, and the length of time they remain there is unimportant. So, if you spill food on the floor, it is preferable to throw it away to avoid food poisoning.

These are just a few of the numerous beliefs we outgrew as we grew older. Although some of these myths and beliefs might seem harmless, it is crucial to evaluate them critically, comprehend their underlying truths, and distinguish fact from fiction. Even though growing youngsters are naturally inquisitive beings, many of these beliefs have the potential to support negative stereotypes or encourage risky activities. The best course of action is to always approach these concepts with a healthy dose of scepticism and base our opinions and decisions on facts that have been supported by the evidence.