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Top 5 Surprising Health Myths

October 14, 2015 / 10:00 PM CDT / CBS Texas

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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The truth is what we often think is right for our health is not right at all. As a doctor of internal medicine for 35 years, Al Johnson, D.O. said his patients constantly come to him fallacies they believe to be true.
"It can be quite difficult," he said. "Many times patients have read something on the internet or heard it from their grandmother."

So with his expertise we've come up with our top five health myths.

1. Drink eight glasses of water a day
You've probably heard this all your life, but the old recommendation of 8 ounces of water, eight times a day has recently been questioned by medical professionals.

A 2002 study published in the American Journal of Physiology determined there was inadequate evidence that healthy adults need large amounts of water.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has since remove the 8 glasses a day recommendation and says thirst may be used to determine how much liquid a healthy adult needs.

There are a few exceptions to this thirst gage, however; including those with medical conditions and athletes.

2. Cold weather causes colds
You've probably been told when it's cold outside to bundle-up and zip up your coat, you're going to catch a cold. Not true.
Studies show being exposed to cold temperatures outside doesn't directly affect your health.

The reason cases of the cold and flu increase when during colder months is because that's when people spend more of time indoors spreading germs.

3. You can catch up on missed sleep
If you think you can catch up on the hours of sleep you didn't get this week by simply sleeping-in this weekend, think again. It's not that easy doctors say.

According to a Harvard Medical School study, if you've slept for less than six hours per night the past two weeks sleeping, ten hours straight this weekend will do nothing to improve the effects of your lost sleep.
As Dr. Johnson simply put it, "Once you miss it, you miss it."

4. Gluten free foods are healthier
For those with Celiac disease, a gluten free diet is essential. However, for the rest of us, doctors say reaching for gluten-free foods is often not healthier. In fact gluten-free foods often lack in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

5. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis
While it's a myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis, Dr. Johnson said it's still not a good habit. "It does give wear and tear on the joints and you don't want flimsy joints later on in life," he said. "I suggest you don't do that but we don't know that it causes arthritis."