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Do you know the difference between a health fact and an old wives' tale? Get to the bottom of common health beliefs – suggest a question for an expert answer and discuss it further on our messageboard.

Latest Fact Buster

Can you drive safely and talk on a hands-free mobile phone?

Yes, as long as your hands are free you can safely drive the car.
No, using your mobile in any way while driving increases your risk of an accident.
Yes, driving and using your mobile in any way is perfectly safe.

Read the answer

Latest Facts

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Does organic food contain more nutrients than non-organic food?

07/07/2010
There are many reasons people buy organic foods. But are they really a healthier alternative?

Tags: diet-and-nutrition, environmental-health

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Is the middle-aged spread inevitable?

23/06/2010
It's a frustration for countless men and women entering middle age. But is having a 'big middle' an inevitable part of middle age?

Tags: obesity, older-people

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Can smiling improve your health?

08/06/2010
Could smiling regularly leave you with more than just a warm inner glow? Could it actually make you healthier?

Tags: depression, mental-health, anxiety

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Are all over-the-counter pain medications safe?

27/05/2010
Most of us have taken painkillers at some point, but have you ever wondered whether they are safe to use?

Tags: pain, pharmaceuticals

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Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

13/05/2010
We've all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But does it really matter if you don't eat it?

Tags: diet-and-nutrition

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Is pregnancy brain a myth?

28/04/2010
You read about it in all the pregnancy books. But is there really such a thing as 'pregnancy brain'?

Tags: mental-health, pregnancy-and-childbirth, womens-health

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Does reading in dim light damage your eyesight?

13/04/2010
It's a common warning: don't read in the dark or you'll damage your eyes. But will reading in dim light really cause you long-term harm?

Tags: child-health-and-behaviour, eyes, occupational-health-and-safety

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Is resting the best way to recover from back pain?

08/04/2010
Back pain will affect between 60 to 80 per cent of us at some point in our lives. But is bed rest going to help you recover?

Tags: pain, pharmaceuticals, rehabilitation, work

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Will sea water help heal sores?

18/03/2010
Is swimming in the ocean likely to heal sores or will it make then worse?

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, infectious-diseases-other, travel-and-tourism

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Can you be fit and fat?

04/03/2010
Are you fit but carry more weight than you would like to?

Tags: exercise-and-fitness, obesity

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