Don't swallow that!

Here's what carrots really do for your eyes! 10 little-known food facts

Image: Thought Catalog

There are some common beliefs about food that, despite their popularity, are actually fake. While science has already done its job and debunked them, many of these myths have an explanation! If you want to know the story behind these myths and the truth revealed by nutritionists, don't miss this article!

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There's a common misconception about coffee and tea that many people still believe. It has long been said that these delicious infusions cause dehydration. Luckily for all coffee lovers, this is a myth!

It turns out that the caffeine present in coffee and tea is indeed a diuretic, which causes you to go to the bathroom more often. However, you'd need to consume large amounts —far more than most people typically drink— to become dehydrated.

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We know that white potatoes are delicious, but why do many people leave them out of their diet? Well, because there has always been a misconception about this vegetable.

We should give the poor potato another chance and let it defend itself! This vegetable is actually a good source of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, especially if you eat the skin. What caused them to be accused of being "bad" is their higher glycemic index compared to other vegetables, which can lead to a fast rise in blood sugar levels. But if you don't have any health conditions related to sugar in your blood, potatoes can be part of a balanced diet. Just remember to leave the oil out of the recipe!

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Who can say no to a little piece of delicious chocolate? But this tasty treat hasn't escaped the fake news either.

For a long time, it has been accused of causing acne on the skin of those who eat it. However, there's no scientific evidence directly linking chocolate with the skin condition. The skin's reaction to certain ingredients varies from person to person, and acne is more often associated with products high in added sugar or dairy rather than chocolate itself.

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Although you may feel that your body is in urgent need of a detox after a heavy dinner, you don't really need special juices for that. In recent years, "detox" recipes and diets have gained a lot of traction, especially in social networks. However, the human body naturally "detoxifies" itself through your liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive system as long as you mantain a healthy and balanced diet.

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Nothing bad will happen if you eat something after 7 p.m. While it's true that heavy meals close to bedtime can make you feel a little sick or give you a stomach ache, the "nothing after 7" rule is actually a myth.

Fortunately, our stomachs can't tell time; what matters is eating healthy and trying to finish meals at least 2-3 hours before going to bed, regardless of your bedtime.

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During WWII, it was said that British pilots had great eyesight and aim thanks to the large amount of carrots they included in their diet. However, over time, it was revealed that their advantage came more from the use of radar technology rather than from carrots.

Although this vegetable is indeed a good source of vitamin A —which is very beneficial for your eyes— eating carrots alone is not enough to keep your eyes healthy, let alone cure any eye condition.

Image: Brooke Lark

Every meal of the day is important, but what you eat matters more than when you eat it.

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day gained fame following cereal advertising campaigns in the early 20th century. However, science shows that it depends on each person's needs, with the quality of your food being more important than the time of day you eat it.

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If you're like us and love summer, here's some good news for you: It has been shown that there is no evidence to point out that swimming after eating is harmful.

The wait to swim after lunch is over! While eating too much might make you feel a bit heavy, the truth is that a break in the pool won't harm your digestion.

Image: Anna Pelzer

Many people still believe that eating healthy is expensive, and that's why they don't give it a chance. But that's actually a myth associated with the high prices of some products labeled as "Low fat" or "Light in calories."

While it's true that the least healthy foods are often the quickest and cheapest, there are many healthy options that are also affordable. Whole grains (rice, oats), legumes (beans, lentils), and frozen, canned, or fresh vegetables are great options to start!

Image: Jessica Lewis

Although delicious, sugar often gets a bad reputation, which is why fruits are sometimes viewed with suspicion by those trying to lose weight. However, the truth is that not all sugars are the same.

As products given to us by nature, fruits are rich in sugar, but the natural kind, which your body digests differently than artificial and refined added sugars. Plus, fruits are rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants!

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

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Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

Image: The New York Public Library

After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

Image: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

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As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

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Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

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The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

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Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

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Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

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L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

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Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

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"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

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Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."