All “Healthy” Habits Are Not Necessarily Good

3. Popping multivitamin pills indiscriminately

In our fast paced life, many times when we do not get an opportunity to prepare a wholesome nutritious meal but we still want to look after ourselves, we turn to alternative sources. Many people, especially children, have got so addicted to junk food that they are losing out on important nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy. Multivitamin pills have come as a boon in this scenario. But therein lays the big question! Are multivitamin pills essential for everyone?

Or have nutritional supplements become just another fad? According to Christine Rosenbloom, a professor emeritus at Georgia State University, more often than not, people just pop in these multivitamin pills without really understanding whether they need them.

As most of the foods are already fortified these days, most people's risk of developing nutritional deficiencies are slim to none. Consuming more vitamins than are actually needed can lead to dangerous side effects. Toxicity of vitamin A can damage a developing fetus whereas excess of vitamin C can lead to gastrointestinal distress, to name just two examples. Too much of vitamin B6, can cause nerve damage. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2009 states that if a person is not suffering from any particular nutritional deficiency, consumption of normal healthy food is always preferable to popping multivitamin pills. Only take multivitamins if your doctor tells you to.

4. Relying solely on bottled water to quench your thirst

You avoid tap water because of the fear of unknown germs it may be containing. Rightly so! But even in places where the tap water has been declared fit for drinking, you just cannot let go of your habit of bottled water. But think again — you might be doing yourself more harm than good because of this steadfastness.

It has been shown that bottled water is completely devoid of fluoride, a chemical so important for the health of your teeth. Deficiency of fluoride can lead to tooth decay. Experts suggest that instead of bottled water you can opt for filtered water which does not contain any germs but also does not leaves you bereft of essential minerals.

5. Cleaning your hands with a sanitizer every time you touch anything

Ever since the launch of hand sanitizers, the companies making them have earned tremendous profits because of people who are paranoid about cleanliness. Every time they come in contact with the outside world, they just have to clean their hands with a sanitizer. But be careful. Dermatologists say that most of these sanitizers contain triclosan, a chemical which promotes the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Unless and until you are in an area where germ concentration is likely to be high, like a hospital, washing your hands with simple soap and water is sufficient. In fact, soap and water are just as effective, if not more, than hand sanitizers. So go easy on your habit of using hand sanitizers. Use them only if you do not have access to soap and running water, as an alternative.

6. Brushing your teeth every time you eat something

Dentists advise us to brush our teeth every morning and before we go to bed. But some people have taken this habit to extreme. Every time they eat anything, they brush their teeth vigorously to keep their oral hygiene in top condition. But dentists say that this is another of those habits that can cause more harm than good. Food leaves acid on the teeth which weakens the enamel. Brushing vigorously can scrub away the weakened enamel leading to cavity formation. Instead of brushing, opt for rinsing your mouth properly with water after every meal. Save the brushing for mornings and night.