13 Old Wives’ Tales That Quietly Turned Out to Be True

I’m a big fan of grandmothers, and one of the things I admire them for is their colorful language. They don’t use technical terms or jargon like fancy scientists and writers— they use vivid imagery, hyperbole, and catchy idioms to add color to every conversation. They also regularly pass along their common-sense wisdom in the form of lively stories called “old wives’ tales.” While it’s true that some of this folklore wasn’t exactly grounded in scientific fact, many of the sayings have stood the test of time and even passed the sniff test of modern research. I thought it would be entertaining to take a stroll down memory lane and highlight some of these sayings that quietly turned out to be pretty much true. I hope you’ll be entertained and inspired to keep a curious mind. Today’s knowledge might not be the whole picture.

Chicken soup helps with colds

Chicken soup is nutrient-dense and packed with hydration, both of which are good sources of support for a weak immune system. There’s also research by Dr. Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Center suggesting that chicken soup may have mild anti-inflammatory effects, which could potentially alleviate colds.

Don’t overeat sweets

Our grandmothers didn’t have access to the peer-reviewed research librarians we have today, but they knew intuitively that sweets were a treat best enjoyed in moderation. A 2016 study published in the journal Frontiers in Bioscience made the case that too much refined sugar lowers our immune system and makes us more susceptible to infections.

Apples keep the doctor away

A long-term study of Irish adults found that eating an apple each day was linked with a reduced risk of stroke. It’s no wonder that the simple advice to “eat an apple a day” can have such great health benefits. Apples have about 5 grams of fiber per serving, and higher fiber diets have long been associated with all sorts of health benefits.

You can feel weather in your bones

You don’t have to give much credence to the idea that an elderly person can feel a change in weather coming in their joints, but there is indeed a growing body of evidence to support this particular old wives’ tale. Several studies have found a correlation between lower barometric pressure and joint pain, but there’s still much more research to be done.

Cold feet can make you sick

Compared to the CDC’s current recommendations on preventing the spread of the flu, this old wives’ tale about cold feet making you sick might sound silly. But if you’re interested in the fascinating complexities of how things like this actually work, you’ll be interested to know there might be a connection. In a study published by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research, results would indicate that cooling the feet causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels in the nasal passage, allowing the viruses to replicate more easily.

Go to bed with clean hair

Many of the old wives’ tales were concerned with personal hygiene, and there’s a confusing one about going to bed with wet hair. There isn’t much to this one other than bed head, but the fact of the matter is that keeping yourself clean is good advice for health and longevity. Many studies have shown that washing your hair regularly can decrease your risk of getting sick by reducing the number of germs on your body.

Sun will cure your illnesses

It sounds a bit silly, but sunlight on your skin can help your body to produce Vitamin D, and a study published back in 2008 in the Journal of Investigative Medicine found that having a vitamin D deficiency increased a person’s risk of catching the flu.

Plenty of fresh air is good for you

It may seem obvious, but what was once common sense has now been confirmed by modern research. The risk of infection by airborne pathogens is far lower outdoors than in indoor environments. Several factors are at play here, such as the sun’s ultraviolet rays, air temperature, and relative humidity, but we know enough to say that indoor air quality is a big deal.

An empty stomach can make you angry

If you’ve been following along, you probably know that this old wives’ tale about an empty stomach making a person mean has now been given a catchy new name—hangry. Research published in 2017 in the journal Emotion confirmed what many of us could have guessed: low glucose levels increase negative emotions like anger.

Everything is better with a good night’s sleep

Of all the old wives’ tales, this one is probably the easiest to prove, but we’re glad that science has caught up to what our grandmothers always knew. Getting about 7–8 hours of sleep is generally considered the sweet spot for healthy, happy living, and there are new studies coming out all the time to support this practical bit of wisdom.

Drink plenty of fluids when you’re sick

In 2008, a study was published in the journal Medical Hypotheses that showed dehydration is a common problem among elderly patients with the flu. The problem had gotten so bad that they had to be hospitalized. Part of being sick is that it causes you to lose fluids through a runny nose or sweat, and many old wives’ tales rightly push the idea of drinking fluids, both to prevent dehydration and to loosen mucus in the body.

Don’t get too close to the TV

Believe it or not, the American Academy of Pediatrics still gives common-sense advice just like our grandmothers did back when we were young. They recommend a distance of 2.5 feet to reduce eye strain. While looking at the television too long or too close won’t permanently damage your eyes, it can lead to eye strain, which makes it harder to focus on close-up objects. By the way, this would be an excellent example of using both wisdom and knowledge together to make good decisions.

Eat your carrots to see better

This saying goes back to World War II, when the British Royal Air Force claimed that it improved its pilots’ night vision by feeding them more carrots. While the part about the war effort was likely exaggerated, carrots are indeed good for eye health. They are rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts to Vitamin A, and this particular vitamin plays a key role in preventing blindness and night vision problems.