9 'Healthy' Habits That Aren't Doing You Any Good

Every day we indulge in many actions which are deemed "healthy" and "good for your body". The question here is- How truly healthy are these habits?

1. Detox diets & cleanses

Don't fall for "detox" scams. When the allure of a cleanse feels strong, just remember that your liver and kidneys do all the detoxing work for you: You don't need to do anything additional to help them out. Any company that tries to convince you otherwise is likely trying to "cleanse" out the contents of your wallet.

2. Taking vitamin C for a cold

Don't trust those vitamin C supplements that promise to "boost" your immune system. Vitamin C won't make you feel better faster if you're already sick. If you do have a cold, stay hydrated and get enough rest.

3. Drinking lemon water every morning

Tons of posts tout the "benefits of lemon water from detoxing to weight loss to "balancing" your body's pH levels. The only problem is that water can't do most of these things. In fact, frequent exposure to citrus foods can wear down your tooth enamel over time, leading to decay.

4. Cleaning out your ears with Q-tips (or anything)

If your earwax isn't blocking your ear canal or causing hearing problems, you should just leave it alone. In fact, earwax has a purpose antifungal & antibacterial, & it helps move dead skin cells out of your ear.

5. Taking biotin for your hair and nails

People take biotin supplements to improve their hair, skin, and nails, but the pills aren't doing much. Biotin deficiencies are rare, mainly because it's found in so many foods. If you think you might be deficient, ask a doctor.

6. Giving up gluten

For people that have been diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten is a problem, but for the population at large, do they need to avoid gluten? The answer is no. And is it beneficial to avoid gluten? The answer also appears to be no.

7. Using hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer isn't as effective as a good scrub. Good old soap, water, and scrubbing is still the best way to get germs off your hands. Wash your hands whenever you can. If there's no soap and water available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

8. Taking antioxidant supplements

Experts do agree that antioxidant-rich foods are great for your health. But antioxidants in pill form don't appear to be beneficial. They could even cause harm. The bottom line: Get your antioxidants from foods.

9. Drinking juices (Yes, even green ones)

Whole fruits and veggies have more fiber than juice. Cold-pressed green drinks might be rich in vitamins and minerals, but juicing removes much of the fiber from fruits and vegetables. And fiber is not something that you want to be removing from your food. In fact, fiber can be your weight loss tool.

Last Words

Sometimes, we start following a habit as reflux of what we saw or heard. But, do you really work to get to the core of its effectiveness? Mostly, no right! Just like the above, you might be following habits that are of no use. Now that you're aware of a few, it's crucial to reassess your daily habits and stop wasting time further.