Food Fibs or Facts?

You've probably heard that tequila makes you crazy and oysters boost your sex drive, but are these facts or fibs? Nutrition experts debunk four food myths.

MYTH 1 Tequila makes you crazier than other types of alcohol
FIB According to the US Research Institute on Addictions, there is no evidence that congeners (the non-alcoholic ingredients) in tequila make you behave any differently from congeners found in other alcoholic beverages such as vodka or whisky.

MYTH 2 Oysters up your libido
MAYBE These, along with other shellfish, beef, liver, pork, eggs and wheat germ, are great sources of zinc, which is needed for cell division and growth. But any effect on the growth of your sexual appetite or his organ is probably more psychosomatic than biological.
COSMO TIP Red wine is great with oysters, not only to enhance their aphrodisiac qualities, but also because red wine increases the body's ability to absorb zinc.

MYTH 3 Processed foods are bad for you
FIB When frozen, peas retain higher levels of vitamin C than fresh peas, as the freezing process keeps the vitamin C from degrading. Similarly, canned carrots retain more betacarotene than raw ones.

MYTH 4 Drinking hot water in the morning helps shed unwanted kilos
FIB This 'crash-diet' technique does not use up any more kilojoules than drinking water at room temperature would. Rather stick to eating a balanced diet, cut down on high-fat foods and get loads of exercise.

Author: The South African Nutrition Expert Panel