Popular Myths That Have Been Debunked by Actual Science

There are a lot of so-called facts floating around out there, some of which were even taught to us in science class when we were kids. But as the world continues to evolve, scientists have been able to debunk many of the popular myths we believed to be true.

Many people only realize in adulthood that they have no idea what animals are doing while they hibernate, or why listening to classical music doesn’t make us any smarter. So, here’s a list of things that have passed off as true for many years, but are in fact entirely or partially false.

Camels Store Water in Their Humps

Most people believe that camels store water in their humps, which would be a handy thing to do since they’re always in the desert. But they actually store fat to nourish their bodies in case they can’t find food.

However, camels are capable of drinking as much as 30 gallons of water at a time and they store that water in their bloodstream.

It Takes Seven Years to Digest Gum

They say that it can take up to seven years to digest chewing gum, but that’s just a major myth. While the gum base is tough to digest, chewing gum tends to move through the digestive system just like anything else you swallow.

Alcohol Kills Brain Cells

Alcohol is a neurotoxin, which has led many science teachers to tell their students that it can kill brain cells. In reality, it does reach the brain shortly after consumption but it won’t exactly kill brain cells.

However, it can lead to alcohol poisoning and permanent brain damage if someone drinks excessively.

The Distance Between the Sun and the Earth Influences Seasons

You may remember being taught that summer begins when the Earth is closer to the sun, and that winter begins when the Earth is further from the sun. But in fact, the Earth and the sun are closer during the winter and farther apart during the summer.

The reason the seasons change is the result of the Northernmost point of the Earth’s axis tilting, allowing the planet to experience the sun more directly in certain areas over the course of its orbit.