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

by Aaron E. Carroll

Book Overview

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 8 glasses of water a day
- Chewing gum stays in your...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031253387X
• ISBN13: 9780312533878
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

The best gift!

Fantastic read and a great conversation starter! We recently received this book as a gift and set set it on our coffee table- it's been sparking an incredible amount of laughter and debate ever since. You would not believe some of the myths that we've believed as truths for so long... who knew that sugar doesn't make kids hyper or that turkey really doesn't make you tired? The research to back up each busted myth is easy to read and very interesting! We love the book and can't wait to give it to our friends and family for upcoming birthdays and holidays. Happy Myth Busting!

Medically excellent

As a medical doctor I am very pleased with this book. The authors have done something very unlikely -- they wrote an fun, entertaining book that is also scientifically and medically excellent. Well researched, well-referenced and easy to use. Quite a public service! CEC

Great cocktail party material!!!!!

Just purchased this book last night and can't put it down. I sat on the couch reading and sharing these extremely interesting and witty short descriptions of misconceived myths with my unbelieving husband! I love my mother-in-law but I must admit it was fun to remind him that she is not always right! Who would have thought two research docs could be so funny!

This book will save the internet!

Using solid medical research and some really funny storytelling, these two doctor-authors debunk so many commonly forwarded myths that it can save the internet. I get so many email forwards that could have been easily nipped at the bud if the sender has just read this book. Think of how much more time we'd all have, and how the internet would be free and clear of such dispelled myths! So the next time someone sends you an email about the evils of antiperspirant, organ donations, or the advantages of peeing on jellyfish stings, just send them a copy of this book! The short chapters make for easy on-the-go reading, and the numerous citations in the index make for some interesting follow-up research.

A fun and informative book!

Do you want to be able to correct your mother on the myths about citrus when she foists vitamin C tablets on you when you have the sniffles? Perhaps just rattle off some interesting tidbits of knowledge at a summer BBQ when everyone is slathering themselves with spf 1000 sunblock? This book is rife with great nuggets of medical information presented in bite-size chunks. A fun and informative collection of essays on commonly believed medical myths that will occasionally make you feel smarter than your doctor.