Wow, I definitely held some of these misconceptions. A few examples:<\/p>\n
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- While the\u00a0beta carotene<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0carrots<\/a>\u00a0can help improve\u00a0night vision<\/a>\u00a0in those suffering from a\u00a0deficiency of vitamin A<\/a>, it does not enhance it beyond normal levels in those receiving an adequate amount.[365]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The belief that it does originated from\u00a0World War II<\/a>\u00a0British\u00a0disinformation<\/a>\u00a0meant to explain the\u00a0Royal Air Force<\/a>‘s improved success in night battles, which was actually due to\u00a0radar<\/a>\u00a0and the use of red lights on instrument panels.[366]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n
- Eating less than an hour before swimming does not increase the risk of experiencing muscle\u00a0cramps<\/a>\u00a0or drowning. One study shows a correlation between alcohol consumption and drowning, but there is no evidence cited regarding stomach cramps or the consumption of food.[316]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n
- Poinsettias<\/a>\u00a0are not highly\u00a0toxic<\/a>\u00a0to humans or cats. While it is true that they are mildly irritating to the skin or stomach,[277]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0and may sometimes cause\u00a0diarrhea<\/a>\u00a0and vomiting if eaten,[278]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0an\u00a0American Journal of Emergency Medicine<\/a><\/i>\u00a0study of 22,793 cases reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers showed no fatalities and few cases requiring medical treatment.[279]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0According to the\u00a0ASPCA<\/a>, poinsettias may cause light to mid-range gastrointestinal discomfort in felines, with diarrhea and vomiting as the most severe consequences of ingestion.[280]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n
- European honey bees<\/a>\u00a0are often described as essential to human food production, leading to claims that without their pollination, humanity would starve or die out.[271]<\/a><\/sup>[272]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The quote “If bees disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live” has been misattributed to Albert Einstein.[273]<\/a><\/sup>[274]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0In fact, many important crops need no insect pollination at all. The ten most important crops,[275]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0comprising 60% of all human food energy,[276]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0all fall into this category.<\/li>\n
- Earthworms<\/a>\u00a0do not become two worms when cut in half. Only a limited number of earthworm species[256]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0are capable of anterior\u00a0regeneration<\/a>. When such earthworms are bisected, only the front half of the worm (where the mouth is located) can feed and survive, while the other half dies.[257]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Some species of\u00a0planarian<\/a>\u00a0flatworms<\/a>, however, actually\u00a0do<\/i>\u00a0become two new planarians when bisected or split down the middle.[258]<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n