Don't Swallow Your Gum!: Myths, Half-Truths, and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health

From two doctors, a "breezy and entertaining" collection that debunks medical myths and health hoaxes ( School Library Journal).
People have more access to medical information than ever before, and yet we still believe "facts" about our bodies and health that are just plain wrong. Don't Swallow Your Gum! takes on these myths and misconceptions, and exposes the truth behind some of those weird and worrisome things we think about our bodies. Entries dispel the following myths and more:
- You need to drink eight glasses of water a day
- Chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years
- You can catch poison ivy from someone who has it
- If you drop food on the floor and pick it up within five seconds, it's safe to eat
- Strangers have poisoned kids' Halloween candy
Don't Swallow Your Gum! is full of enlightening, practical, and quirky facts that will debunk some of the most stubborn misunderstandings and urban legends about our health and well-being.
"The authors demonstrate clear research and documentation, including more than 40 pages of references. The introduction explains the difference between association and causation, the trials needed to prove the truth, and why so many misperceptions exist." — School Library Journal