Common cold weather myths, debunked
We’ve all heard them, but which are actually true? Here are three myths about how cold impacts the human body.
1. You're more likely to get a cold when it's cold
According to a study from Northeastern University, our noses produce fewer particles that protect us from viruses when it's cold. Viruses, therefore, have a greater chance of reaching our bodies.
2. Women have colder feet than men
Although it varies from person to person, women’s hands and feet are colder than men’s by a few degrees.
In the cold, our body protects itself by reducing blood flow to the extremities to warm the centre of the body. Generally, this process starts sooner in the female body.
3. We lose more than half of our body heat through our heads
This one is not exactly true. Researchers at the University of Manitoba have immersed volunteers in freezing water to study this one. It turns out, any exposed body part loses just as much heat - but it’s still a good idea to wear a toque when it's cold.
Thumbnail image/graphics made by Cheryl Santa Maria in Canva.
