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The Common-Sense Checklist

Actually, Not

Skipping breakfast wrecks your stomach. Going out with wet hair gives you a cold. Bone soup is full of calcium. Some claims sound self-evident — they've been repeated for decades — but the evidence doesn't back them. This site collects 104 of them, and for each one it spells out: what the truth is, how the claim spread in the first place, and what to do instead.

33 of them can do real harm

104 entries · read 0/104

About these conclusions.Every entry cites its sources — mostly systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, or public guidelines from health agencies. Where the answer is 'insufficient evidence' rather than 'disproven', the text says so; where there's controversy or exceptions, it leaves room — because replacing one oversimplification with another is not progress.

This is not medical advice.What's written here describes population-level patterns, which may not apply to you. If you're unwell, see a doctor — don't use a webpage as a diagnosis.

Disclaimer.This site is for general education only. It is not medical, nutritional, or legal advice, and using it creates no doctor–patient relationship. We check sources and mark evidence strength carefully, but we can't guarantee every detail is accurate, complete, or current — science moves on, and entries get revised. Talk to a doctor, registered dietitian, or other qualified professional before making health decisions; whatever you decide after reading this site is your own responsibility. External links are citations, not endorsements of everything on those sites.

Spotted an error? Email us.Know a claim we should cover? Email usGitHub