# Absurd Food Myths and Rumors **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 22, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967 "2013-10-22T20:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/61 "2013-10-23T15:31:39Z")
OK, it’s just difficult for this atheist to accept that someone can be accused of “faking” something that, to my sensibilities is, de facto, fake. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/62 "2013-10-23T15:34:54Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You edited that and _still_ missed the omitted word? 🙂 It’s been a long day. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/63 "2013-10-23T15:42:16Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Well, maybe not 100% falsifiable to the extent that some other claims are, but if you have no Jewish relatives, were not raised as a Jew, do not go to Temple, observe the Sabbath or any other Jewish Holidays, do not put up mezzuzahs, do not eat Kosher (except in prison), and do not study Jewish religion, then I’d agree your claim to be Jewish is false. So I’m not a good enough Jew for you? Oy-vey. I’m trying. Taking baby steps, beginning with dietary restrictions. Now leave me be while I pray for your soul. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/64 "2013-10-23T15:50:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > OK, it’s just difficult for this atheist to accept that someone can be accused of “faking” something that, to my sensibilities is, de facto, fake. Well, you know what they say about faking sincerity. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/65 "2013-10-23T16:30:37Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Wait. How does one “fake” a belief? Aren’t you what you claim to be? Yesterday I was Jewish. Today I’m a Mormon! Are my claims falsifiable? :dubious: Your claim to be Jewish certainly is falsifiable. While different sections of the Jewish community have different ideas of what “makes” someone a Jew, I think even those with the most liberal interpretations would require something more than just a declaration before accepting a gentile as Jewish. Gentiles who are legitimately converting to Judaism sometimes do start keeping kosher as part of the process, and we should support that in most cases. I don’t know if prisoners should be accommodated this way, however, as they would have an ulterior motive to claim they want to convert and even go through the motions of doing so. > [@kayaker](#): > > OK, it’s just difficult for this atheist to accept that someone can be accused of “faking” something that, to my sensibilities is, de facto, fake. That’s just offensive. There is nothing fake about the fact that I’m a Jew. You want to say that a certain portion of the religious aspect is “fake,” fine. This isn’t the place to debate that, and I’m non-religious anyway so I don’t really care. But I am definitely Jewish, in culture, in upbringing, in ancestry, etc. If you think that Judaism is only about the worshipping god a certain way bit you’re profoundly ignorant. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/66 "2013-10-23T16:38:06Z")
This hijack has gotten beyond absurd at this point. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/67 "2013-10-23T16:43:12Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > This hijack has gotten beyond absurd at this point. That’s how we roll. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/68 "2013-10-23T16:49:26Z")
For sure, and I’ve probably participated in some doozies. I’m just laughing at the transition from: “Tell about some food myths.” to “Are you saying I’m not a Jew!!” ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/69 "2013-10-23T17:09:20Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > No need for a flexi-scope. Doctors have had ample opportunity to poke around inside people’s bellies. Abdominal surgery isn’t exactly rare, and unfortunately, abdominal wounds aren’t either, especially in wartime. If people had chewing gum hanging around in there, you’d think some doctor would have noticed by now. Only if people swallowed their gum, which maybe because of all the warnings they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/70 "2013-10-23T17:09:25Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > This hijack has gotten beyond absurd at this point. I see you’re new around here. Welcome to the SDMB! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/71 "2013-10-23T17:16:37Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Alton? Alton Brown?? Welcome to the boards! I wish! Alas, no. But I have watched more episodes of Good Eats than is probably decent. He’s my secret TV boyfriend, he just doesn’t know it yet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/72 "2013-10-23T17:33:05Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > It seems that these myths would be pretty easy to check. Has anyone ever used one of those flexi-scopes to look for old chewing gum? Was any ever found? I chewed a lot of gum as a kid, usually mint. I know for a fact that that gum is completely out of my system. Incidentally, I also know what a minty-fresh butt feels like. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/73 "2013-10-23T18:51:07Z")
I once heard the common additive sodium erythorbate was made from earthworms. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/74 "2013-10-23T18:52:57Z")
[quote=“WhyNot, post:4, topic:671967”] Mushrooms can’t be washed or soaked in water, 'cause they absorb water like a sponge. You have to wipe them one by one with a damp paper towel or an [$18 mushroom brush](http://www.fjorn.com/ir114100.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=ir114100&gclid=CKaHjaemq7oCFe5cMgodqAQAHA). The reason isn’t absorption, it’s because (allegedly) much of the flavor is on the surface and is water-soluble. My son, a chef, believes this is true, but a typical paintbrush works just fine thank you. I never met a mushroom I didn’t like, washed or brushed. However, I’m sufficiently unskilled in the kitchen that the ones I cook are the least lovely of the lot, regardless of how I clean them. So, I can’t say whether this is a myth or not based on personal experience. > [@](#): > > MSG causes headaches and/or lots of people are allergic to MSG. Ignorance fought (by your subsequent post with cite). I’ve been under the impression that MSG exacerbates my asthma, just as sulfites in wine can. Evidently I’m mistaken. > [@Undead Annie](#): > > That dairy foods cause massive amounts of mucus that can kill you. On researching this not long ago, I found that there isn’t a consensus. Most of the research showing the myth to be false was funded by the dairy industry. Research behind the myth establishes good facts but with a rather tenuous connection between the facts and the claims. Of course, the “massive” and “can kill you” parts are hyperbole. In any case, as a sinus sufferer, I don’t find any need to avoid dairy, and don’t notice any correlation. > [@lieu](#): > > Here’s one; I’d always heard you don’t eat the distal end of the shrimp tail, like the 6th abdominal segment just before the telson. However, posters here say they’ve done so for years with no ill effects. So was this an absurd myth? I have no idea what a telson is, but I’ll keep that word in mind for Scrabble. Meanwhile, I always eat the whole thing except the hard flaky bits, head, and legs, and I’m still alive. My asthma and sinus conditions predate most of my shrimp consumption. There’s one data point for ya. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/75 "2013-10-23T18:53:20Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > I chewed a lot of gum as a kid, usually mint. I know for a fact that that gum is completely out of my system. Incidentally, I also know what a minty-fresh butt feels like. A wise choice over juicy fruit. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/76 "2013-10-23T19:00:21Z")
Not as fun a myth as the above, but I remember a co-worker telling us that drinking water while eating interferes with digestion. It seemed odd to me that would be so, given that we tend to get thirsty when we eat. When I looked into it, I found it’s advice that’s common on woo sites, based on ancient Chinese medicine or the brilliant theory that it dilutes stomach acid, without any clinical evidence. Meanwhile, Mayo Clinic says it’s a myth. I’ll take their word for it. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/77 "2013-10-23T19:14:38Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Ever get a headache from an Italian restaurant? There’s more glutamate, on average, in an Italian restaurant meal than a Chinese restaurant meal. Oh yes! Horrible headaches. Now I am very careful about the meats and cheeses I eat at an Italian restaurant or elsewhere for that matter. I now always drink plenty of water at any restaurant to help avoid a headache. I have rarely had a problem with Chinese restaurants. I’ve never had “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” but do sometimes get headaches. Too much sodium maybe. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/78 "2013-10-23T19:24:07Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Organic = healthy. > > Vegetarian/vegan = healthy. IMHO, “organic” means “consisting partly of carbon.” At least that’s what I understood from high-school chemistry. To you vegetarians/vegans: How do you get the nutrients you would otherwise find in meat/poultry/seafood? ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/79 "2013-10-23T20:48:10Z")
No. “Organic” means “full of bugs.” To the OP: My wife has a lot of beliefs that drive me crazy. If I’m grilling or broiling: “Don’t eat the seared part; you’ll get cancer!” If I put a tupperware in the dishwasher: “You’ll get cancer!” If I open up a can of Chunky soup or similar: “Don’t eat that! You’ll get cancer!” If I microwave anything in a plastic-based container, even frozen items with a plastic bowl or some sort of plastic seal designed specifically for the microwave: “You’ll get cancer!” Not food-related, but still…“Don’t fall asleep with the (oscillating) fan on! It sucks all the good air out! People die! All the time!” I could go on…I’ve got a million of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967/80 "2013-10-23T20:49:29Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Only if people swallowed their gum, which maybe because of all the warnings they don’t. The claim I always heard was that gum and fingernails would collect in your appendix. Which reminds me, if you’re listing medical procedures that might find gum, but never do, don’t forget colonoscopies. I watched the screen showing what the little camera saw all the way up to the joint with the appendix. Not that I was ever an inveterate gum swallower, so maybe I’m not the best subject. But I’ve never heard of any colonoscopy finding gum. > [@Learjeff](#): > > . . . I have no idea what a telson is, but I’ll keep that word in mind for Scrabble. Meanwhile, I always eat the whole thing except the hard flaky bits, head, and legs, and I’m still alive. My asthma and sinus conditions predate most of my shrimp consumption. There’s one data point for ya. Those butterflied, breaded, and fried shrimp? The ones with the shell left on the end of the tail? I always used to eat those. My sisters would leave them on their plate and I’d snitch them and eat them. No asthma or other known shrimp shell caused debility. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absurd-food-myths-and-rumors/671967.md?page=5)