Page last updated at 11:35 GMT, Thursday, 18 December 2008

Winter medical myths 'debunked'

Man with hangover
With hangovers it is just a waiting game, research suggests

It may feel like the aspirin, fry-up or even "hair of the dog" is helping to alleviate that hangover caused by over-indulging the night before.

But in fact there is no such thing as a "cure" for a hangover, say researchers from Indiana University in the US.

It is one of six Christmas-related myths which been debunked in the British Medical Journal.

The team trawled through the medical literature and internet for evidence on a range of commonly held beliefs.

We all know our own bodies and take sensible advice accordingly
Colin, Plymouth, UK

"Both physicians and non-physicians sometimes believe things about our bodies that just are not true," wrote Dr Rachel Vreeman and Dr Aaron Carroll.

"Examining common medical myths reminds us to be aware of when evidence supports our advice."

So what did they find?


An internet search flagged up endless methods claiming to cure a hangover from aspirin to bananas to Vegemite and water.

But there is no scientific evidence of an effective cure or method of preventing hangovers, the researchers said, despite many trials being carried out on both traditional and complementary medicines.

Keeping teetotal or drinking in moderation is the only way to avoid a hangover, they concluded.


Putting on pounds in the festive period almost seems inevitable but to avoid unwanted weight gain it has been suggested that people avoid eating late at night.

The idea is that you cannot burn off the calories if you are asleep.

But this is not supported by the evidence.

A Swedish study found that obese women were more likely to eat at night, but they also ate more in general.

In another study of more than 2,500 patients, eating at night was not associated with weight gain but eating more than three meals a day was.

Ultimately, taking in more calories makes you gain weight whenever you eat them, the researchers said.


With Christmas comes selection boxes and a host of sweet treats but parents need not fear their children climbing the walls.

Children eating chocolate
It is commonly thought children become hyperactive after eating sugar











Poinsettias are a common Christmas decorative feature but many believe they are poisonous.

In reality they are fairly harmless.




"The combined stresses of family dysfunction, exacerbations in loneliness, and more depression over the cold dark winter months are commonly thought to increase the number of suicides," said Dr Vreeman.

But, although the holidays may be difficult for some, there is no good evidence to suggest a peak in suicides.

Also people are not more likely to commit suicide in the dark winter months - around the world suicides peak in warmer months, the researchers said.

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