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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

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Does being an early riser make you healthier?

No, getting enough sleep is more important than the time you get up.
No, being an early riser puts a strain on your heart.
Yes, rising close to sunrise helps your body work at its best.

Read the answer

Latest Facts

Is fever a symptom of teething in babies?

18/08/2010
Many people talk about how miserable their children are while teething. But is fever really a sign your baby's teeth are coming through?

Tags: infant-health, dental

ABC

Do redheads feel pain differently?

05/08/2010
Can your hair colour affect how you respond to pain? Research suggests this might be the case for redheads.

Tags: pain, hair

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

21/07/2010
Most of us know you shouldn't talk on a mobile phone while driving. But what if your phone is hands-free?

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, mobile-phones

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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

iStockphoto

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

iStockphoto

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

iStockphoto

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

iStockphoto

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

iStockphoto

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

istockphoto

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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