Fact Checking Four Viral WhatsApp Claims about Health Benefits

Paynesville – A viral WhatsApp message containing 19 claims about health-related advice suggests a number of things people should do to stay healthy. The message suggests, amongst several things, that exercise is a life extending therapy, washing of hands regularly is a major way of preventing some infections, eating carrots and cucumbers boost a man’s sperm, and frequent talking with enthusiasm is an anti-aging therapy.

We checked these claims and here’s what we found:

Claim 1: Exercise is life extending therapy.

According to the Harvard Medical School, exercise provides a remarkable variety of health benefits, which range from strengthening bones to positive effects on mood and helping to prevent chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

Also, a research paper published in the US National Institute of Health suggests that “physical activity reduces many major mortality risk factors including arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer.”

Research shows that exercise is a life extending therapy. Therefore, this claim is correct.

Claim 2: Washing of hands regularly is a major way of preventing some infections.

We checked the website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found that washing hands can keep a person healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections.

Germs can spread from person to person and from surfaces to people; therefore, it is always good to wash your hands when you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and when you prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands.

The World Health Organization also encourages the frequent washing of hands to prevent diseases like Covid-19. “Handwashing has always been one of most effective ways of keeping diseases at bay. It is a simple act that pays in dividends when it comes to keeping ourselves healthy and safe. Handwashing is also one of the key cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention,” the WHO stated on its website in an article published on October 15, 2020.

Claim 3: Carrot and Cucumbers are Sperm Boosters

According to a study by American Society for Reproductive Health Medicine , carrots have sperm boosting properties. The study was done in 2013 by researchers of Harvard University School of Public Health.

Also, Health Site.Com states that because carrots are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and beta-carotene it helps to prevent sperm damage and boost sperm health. The nutrients in carrot help to increase sperm count and maintain sperm health in men.

Further studies suggest that men who eat carrots regularly can produce more sperms and they are of better quality. These sperms have better mobility (ability to swim faster) and help in conception too.

However, we did not find any evidence that eating cucumber boosts your sperm.

Therefore, this claim is mostly correct.

Claim 4: Frequent Talking with Enthusiasm is an Anti-aging

Integris, a major US based medical service provider, lists some of the causes of anti-aging but did not include frequent talking as a cause of anti-aging. It names sun exposure, stress, smoking, unhealthy eating habits and excessive alcohol intake as some of the causes of premature aging.

Additionally, the American Academy of Dermatology Association, also has a list of 11 ways to prevent premature skin aging or anti-aging but none includes frequent talking with enthusiasm as cause of anti-aging. There is no evidence to back this claim based on our research.

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