Demystifying terrifyingly false food myths - It's common knowledge that eating certain foods bring benefits when it comes to staying healthy, whereas others don't help at all. However, while we may believe some of these facts to be home truths, many are actually myths which have no scientific evidence to back them up. Click through the gallery to discover the food myths which are completely untrue!

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Myth: five second rule - Some say that eating food which has been on the floor for less than five seconds isn't bad for you. But according to Business Insider, the 'five second rule' is completely false, as bacteria can contaminate food in just milliseconds.

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Myth: margarine is healthier than butter - Many margarines contain trans fats, which are worse for you than the saturated fats found in several types of butter. According to SELF, butter has few ingredients and, contrary to margarine, doesn't include extra ingredients to make up for a lack of flavor. If you want to buy margarine, it's a good idea to check the list of ingredients used to make it on the packet.

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Myth: eating chocolate can cause acne - Business Insider cited a study where a group of volunteers ate large doses of chocolate daily, over the course of a month. When they checked for signs of acne in each of the volunteers, no significant differences were detected, making it appear that there is no link between acne and chocolate.

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Myth: cranberry juice can help cure UTIs - According to Reader’s Digest, there is no proof that cranberry juice or any other supplement can cure an infection which needs antibiotics. However, drinking this juice and taking supplements regularly could prevent the appearance of infections in the first place.

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Myth: chocolate and sugar are aphrodisiacs - According to Business Insider, during the 19th century, before it was discovered that sugar could cause diabetes and hyperactivity, it was believed that sugar increased sexual desire in women, children, and poor people. The article concludes that there is not enough evidence to prove the aphrodisiacal properties of sugar or chocolate.

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Myth: red wine is the only alcohol which is good for you - According to Reader’s Digest, several studies show that ethanol is responsible for increased levels of high-density lipoproteins, also known as 'good cholesterol', and also helps to reduce the risk of blood clots and consequently heart attacks and strokes. This means that drinking alcohol in moderation can be good for your heart.

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Myth: eating lots of spicy food can cause an ulcer - It's the bacteria H. pylori and some medicines which cause the majority of stomach ulcers, not spicy food, says Reader's Digest. Spicy food can irritate the intestine, leading many people to think they have an ulcer.

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Myth: eating lots of carrots improves your eyesight - Reader's Digest says that this myth began during the Second World War. The article states there was a rumor at the time that pilots who ate lots of vegetables had a heightened accuracy of vision, and the myth has been around ever since. In reality, unless you have a big vitamin A deficiency, eating lots of carrots won't help your eyesight!

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Myth: canned fruit and veg has fewer nutrients than when fresh - It is true that fresh fruit and veg are richer in nutrients than the frozen or canned stuff. However, this is only true when they have just been picked or harvested. Reader's Digest says that in the majority of cases, the fruit and vegetables that you find in supermarkets have traveled a long way since being picked, meaning they have already lost a lot of their nutrients.

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Myth: drinking coffee dehydrates your body - It's true that coffee is a diuretic drink, however, it's a very mild one. According to the online edition of SELF, this drink contains water, which contributes to the daily amount of liquids we should be drinking. For coffee to start dehydrating your body you would have to drink a hugely exaggerated amount of it. Two or three mugs a day won't have this effect.

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Myth: eating celery uses up more calories than it gives you - There is an old myth that celery has 'negative calories,' meaning that many people believe that eating the vegetable uses more calories than the vegetable itself actually contains. This is not true, but, as Reader's Digest states, with less than 10 calories per piece, celery is a good snack for those wanted to lose weight or stay slim.

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Myth: an apple a day keeps the doctor away - Apples are rich in fiber an vitamin C, which are important for a healthy diet, however, that alone is not enough. According to Business Insider, if a virus or bacterial infection manages to get past your immune system, eating an apple is not going to be much use in protecting your body from it.

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Myth: eating vitamin C prevents flu and colds - Studies show that consuming vitamin C prevents only marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers exposed to subarctic conditions from getting colds, according to Reader's Digest.

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Myth: eating natural sugar is better than added sugar - According to SELF, our bodies absorb sugar in different ways, according to the nutrients which accompany it. Sugar found in fruit usually comes with fiber, which aids slower digestion and helps prevent your blood sugar levels from spiking. It's best to eat sugar like this than without any accompanying nutrient. However, be aware that drinking juices and sodas, or eating honey will make your body react like this, owing to the high sugar levels present in these foods.

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Myth: raw carrots are more nutritious than cooked ones - According to Reader's Digest, cooking carrots actually increases their nutritional value. The articles says that cooking helps to break down the 'walls' which 'block' beta-Carotene.

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Myth: eating nuts is just as bad as fast-food - Nuts are an excellent source of proteins and other nutrients. However, they should not be eaten in excess, just one handful a day is sufficient. According to Reader's Digest, several studies show that eating nuts regularly prevents heart problems.

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Myth: people with diabetes can't eat sweet things - When eaten in moderation, sweet things do not harm diabetics. Reader's Digest states that the best way to keep a balanced level of glucose in the blood is to spread sweet things out evenly over meals and snacks, making sure you get a mixture of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

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Myth: after eating you have to wait before swimming - The theory behind this myth argues that during digestion, more blood flows to your stomach which leaves your muscles with less blood, and therefore at higher risk of getting cramps. However, Business Insider states there is no evidence to support this.

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Myth: don't drink milk when you have a cold - According to Reader's Digest, there is no proof that drinking milk increases the production of mucus, meaning that there is no need to stop consuming it when you have a cold.

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Myth: salads are always the healthiest option on the menu - Many people believe that choosing a salad is always the healthiest option at any restaurant. However, many salads contain components which are not so good for you. Cheese, bacon, toast, sweetened dry fruit, and some dressings are just extras which can make this dish more unhealthy. According to SELF, a healthier salad option is one with green leaves, lean protein, a small dose of healthy fat, and an oil-based dressing.

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Myth: take off chicken skin before cooking to reduce the fat content - Roasting, boiling or grilling poultry with the skin on means that the natural juices are better preserved. According to Reader's Digest, it's best to cook meat with the skin on and remove it just before serving.

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Myth: egg yolks are bad for you - It's now been known for a long time that trans and saturated fats play a big part in increasing levels of cholesterol in the blood. Eggs have low levels of saturated fats and, according to SELF, a whole egg, not just the white part, should be included in any healthy diet. They do not rise cholesterol levels, nor do they increase the risk of heart attacks.

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Myth: you'll sleep better after an alcoholic 'nightcap' - Drinking alcohol before going to bed can actually stop you from falling asleep, even in healthy adults, says Reader's Digest.

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Myth: we're all better off without gluten - The online edition of SELF states that eating gluten-free foods can be a healthy option if you suffer from celiac disease or have a gluten intolerance. However, not all gluten-free products are made in the same way, or a healthy way, and some include high levels of sugar. Many breads and other baked gluten-free goods are made with flours which contain few nutrients.

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Myth: organic food is healthier - There is a common idea that organic products are healthier than the rest. But according to SELF, organic biscuits, cookies, crisps, and candy have the same portions of sugar and fat as their 'non-organic' versions. While organic products may be free from chemicals, eating foods which have been made in the conventional way is still fine.

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