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Your body is a wonderland

41 Ways We’re All Collectively Treating Our Bodies Like a Fetid Pile of Garbage

March 02, 2024

Wow, even the stuff you think is healthy is actually voiding your warranty.

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41

PRE-RINSING YOUR DISHES ISN'T HELPING THEM GET CLEAN. Though we may think rinsing our dishes before putting them in the dishwasher is helpful, we are actually hindering the cleaning process. Dish detergent needs food particles to latch onto in order to do its job, and if there are no particles present, the detergent will simply rinse away. CRACKED — Source

40

BIRTHDAYS: THE ONE TIME IT'S SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO SPIT ON FOOD. A study found that blowing out birthday candles increases the amount of bacteria on the cake frosting by 14 times. While this may not be a big health concern, it's still gross to think about all the saliva on your slice of cake. CRACKED — Source

39

APPLE BOBBING: A CENTURIES-OLD TRADITION OF POTENTIAL DISEASE TRANSMISSION. We all know that bobbing for apples is unsanitary, but we do it anyway because it's tradition. Next time you're at an apple- bobbing party, take a minute to think about all the germs swirling around in that water. CRACKED — Source

38

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BACTERIA THEIR PHONE HAS. Phones are covered in germs and bacteria, which can cause sickness. 90% of people bring their phones into the bathroom, which increases the risk of germs spreading. CRACKED — Source

37

IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR CHILD SICK, THE PLAYGROUND IS THE PLACE TO BE. The average playground is crawling with harmful germs, due to a lack of cleaning and disinfecting. This can lead to skin infections and other illnesses in young children. CRACKED — Source

36

IF YOU WANT DRY, ITCHY SKIN, LEAVE SOAP ON YOUR BODY AFTER SHOWERING. Leaving soap on your skin can cause dryness, eczema, and contact dermatitis Dermatologists recommend rinsing off all the soap to avoid these effects. CRACKED — Source

35

BACTERIA, MOLD, AND YEAST LOVE SODA JUST AS MUCH AS YOU DO. Bacteria, mold, and yeast were found on 20 different soda cans purchased from stores and vending machines across North Texas. The highest number of germs was found on store shelves and in gas station vending machines. CRACKED — Source

34

ALL YOU CAN EAT (AND ALL THE GERMS YOUR STOMACH CAN HANDLE)! Buffets are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness. To reduce your risk of falling ill, avoid all items at buffets with disengaged management, say no to wilted lettuce and other sorry-looking foods, steer clear of food that's not kept at the proper temperature, and be wary of anything raw. CRACKED — Source

33

A TRIP TO THE PETTING FARM MAY TURN OUT TO BE NOT SO HARMLESS. Despite warnings from leading experts, very young children are still being allowed to touch animals at petting farms and zoos, which can spread E. coli infection. This puts the children's health at risk, as well as the health of other visitors. CRACKED — Source

32

CRACKED WE KEEP SPREADING BACTERIA FAR AND WIDE, ONE HAND AT A TIME. High-speed air hand dryers can spread bacteria from poorly washed hands to clothing and surfaces beyond the bathroom, according to one study. The study found that even if hands were washed poorly, drying them using paper towels rather than an air dryer significantly reduced the microbial burden of further contamination. — Source

31

CRACKED ONE! ONE 3 TES SERVE SYSTEM WE SPREAD DISEASE BY USING DIRTY MONEY. Despite research showing that cash is covered in microbes, we continue to use it without washing our hands first. Bills are exchanged constantly, and can hold pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. — Source

30

CRACKED SHARING YOUR HEADPHONES IS GROSS. You share more than you think by lending out your headphones, including bacteria, yeast, and germs. Plus, our ears are vulnerable orifices that can easily become infected. — Source

29

WE LIKE TO LIVE DANGEROUSLY BY EATING FOOD OFF THE FLOOR. The five-second rule is a myth. Cross contamination from surfaces like tile, wood, and stainless steel happen in less than one second, according to research. If you're not sure whether it's safe to eat something that's fallen on the floor, just throw it out. CRACKED — Source

28

DON'T WORRY, YOUR VAGINA IS PROBABLY CLEANER THAN YOU THINK. Attempts to clean the vagina, whether with harsh soaps or douching, can cause inflammation and alter the vaginal pH. The vulva only needs to be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap; anything else may damage delicate tissue or lead to infection. CRACKED — Source

27

TOILET SEATS ARE CLEANER THAN CAFETERIA TRAYS. NSF International's study found that drinking water fountain spigots had the highest amount of bacteria on the tested surfaces, while a cafeteria tray had over ten times as many germs as a toilet seat. CRACKED — Source

26

THE AIR IN YOUR OFFICE COULD BE UP TO 100 TIMES DIRTIER THAN THE AIR OUTSIDE. It's called Sick Building Syndrome, and is a result of the energy crisis of the 1970s. Instead of letting in outside air, buildings now recirculate air. That recirculated air can contain everything from black mold to carbon monoxide. CRACKED.COM http://www. businessweek com/2000/00_23/b3684001.htm — Source

25

WASHING MACHINES ARE FILLED WITH E. COLI BACTERIA. It arrives on your underwear and the average wash cycle doesn't kill it. A 1999 study found coliform bacteria in 60% of the washing machines tested, and E. coli in 10%. http://articles Jatimes com/1 1999may/16/news/mn-37756 — Source

24

BRUSHING TEETH IMMEDIATELY AFTER EATING CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO TOOTH ENAMEL. Acidity in foods causes enamel to soften, so brushing can be really destructive. It's better to brush before eating, and focus on the gums rather than the teeth. GRACKED.COM http://www.cbsnews com/news/tooth-brushing-101-8212-for-grownups/ — Source

23

SLEEPING IN A BRA IS TERRIBLE FOR YOUR HEALTH. Women who wear bras while sleeping have lower salivary melatonin levels, because of the increased pressure on their skin. It messes up their sleep, makes them sick, and interferes with their periods. CRACKED.COM http://nformahealthcare com/doi/abs/10 1081/CBI-100102114 — Source

22

NIGHT LIGHTS CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE. Scientists found that hamsters who slept with night lights experienced significant changes to the brain. Those changes lead to depression, weight gain, and decreased production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. CRACKED.COM http://www.health.am/psy/more/light-at-night-causes-changes-in-brain-linked-to-depression/ — Source

21

CHEWABLE VITAMIN С ERODES TEETH. kids CHEWABLE NATURAL C VITAMIN 0 DIETARY SUPPLEMENT FROM ACEROLA CHERRIES MALPIGHIA PUNICIFOLIA (ACEROLA) FRESH FRUIT FLESH EXTRACT 137 mg PER TABLET Vitamin с is ascorbic acid. Holding a vitaminc с tablet in your mouth for extended periods can dissolve the surface of your teeth. BEST OF NATURE. BEST OF SCIENCE. SCURVY-B-GONE AUST L 73940 100 TABLETS GRACKED.COM http://www. hindawi.com/journals/crid/201 4/485387/ — Source

20

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS TRICK YOUR BODY INTO GAINING WEIGHT. A study on rodents showed that those who were fed saccharin actually gained more weight than rodents who were fed sucrose. CRACKED.COM http://blog fooducate com//2010/01/03/three-reasons-to-rethink-that-diet-coke-youre-about-to-drink/ — Source

19

SMARTPHONES KILL YOUR ABILITY TO RELAX. Surprisingly, the ability to constantly monitor e-mail causes increased, rather than decreased, stress. It's called the helpful-stressful cycle, and pressures people to stay constantly in touch-even during times of much-needed relaxation. GRACKED.COM — Source

18

25% OF SOAP DISPENSERS IN PUBLIC RESTROOMS IN THE U.S. ARE CONTAMINATED WITH BACTERIA. CRACKED COM http://aem.asm.org/cotent/77/9/2898.full — Source

17

ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP SPAWNS SUPERBUGS. Widespread use of antibacterial agents in soap leads to the evolution of drug-resistant superbugs, such as streptococcus pneumonia and strains of E. coli. These bugs have evolved to resist antibiotics, so they're insanely hard to treat. GRACKED.COM http://abcnews go.com/Health/story?id=117985 — Source

16

SITTING SHORTENS YOUR LIFE. It doesn't matter if you spend a lot of time at the gym. If you sit the rest of the day you are still at a higher risk of heart disease and cancer than someone who stands on the job. In fact, on average you are less healthy than that guy even if he doesn't work out. CRACKED.COM http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/?hp — Source

15

INTENSE EXERCISE CAN CAUSE A MAN'S GENITALS TO SHRINK, AND EVEN RETRACT UP INTO HIS BODY. It happens to runners, cyclists, swimmers-any athlete who takes part in extended, strenuous exercise. Fortunately it only lasts an hour or so. CRACKED.COM http://www. steadyhealth com/My_penis and testicles shrink to aimost_child_size_proportions_whie_exercising1703htm — Source

14

POSITIVE THINKING CAN MAKE YOU MORE DEPRESSED, AND MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE. Studies show that people with high self-esteem felt marginally better when practicing positive thinking, but those with low self-esteem felt worse. Listing negative things about themselves actually made them feel better. CRACKED.COM www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201210/why-dont-my-positive-affirmations-work — Source

13

FACIAL PIERCINGS CAN MESS UP YOUR BRAIN. Scientists suspect that getting facial piercings can damage the facial trigeminal nerve, which connects the physical sensations in your face up with your neural center. A bad facial piercing can cause eye misalignment, dizziness, and loss of balance. CRACKED.COM http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pc/articles/PMC3177080/ — Source

12

WEARING A TIE PUTS PRESSURE ON YOUR EYES. A study of 40 men found that adjusting ties to slightly uncomfortable for just three minutes increased intraocular pressure - the primary cause of glaucoma. CRACKED.COM http://news bbc CO uk/2/hi/31 04093 stm — Source

11

YOUR LASER PRINTER COULD BE RUINING YOUR LUNGS. 40 percent of laser printers emit clouds of toner which, when breathed, are as toxic as cigarette smoke. Excessive exposure to toner can lead to siderosilicosis, a common disease in coal miners. CRACKED.COM http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0 8599, 1650602,00.html — Source

10

FAST FOOD SALADS ARE WORSE FOR YOU THAN BURGERS. 680 calories 36 grams of fat 780 calories 51 grams of fat For example, a Wendy's Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad has more calories and more fat than a Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger. GRACKED.COM https://www. wendys com/en-us/salads/spicy-chicken-caesar-salad https://www.wendys com/en-us/hamburgers/pretzel-bacon-cheeseburger — Source

9

STAYING INDOORS IS KILLING YOUR SEX DRIVE. Spending time in the sunshine bathes the body in vitamin D, which raises testosterone production. So go outside and play. CRACKED.COM http://news bbc CO uk/2/hi/health/8493042 stm — Source

8

SKINNY JEANS CAN CAUSE NERVE DAMAGE. Wearing tight pants That's numbness of like skinny jeans can the leg, stinging pain, oversensitivity compress the lateral femoral cutaneous to heat, and, in nerve, causing a some cases, serious condition atrophied leg called meralgia tissue. paraesthetica. GRACKED.COM www.nbcnews com/id/30870617/n5/health-behavior/t/skinny-jeans-give-thigh-nerve-painful-pinch/ — Source

7

3 YOUR b 5 4 DESK IS CRAWLING WITH GERMS. Scientists who swabbed office desks found 21,000 germs per square inch, and 25,000 on phones. For comparison, the toilet seats they swabbed had 49 germs per square inch. CRACKED.COM http://www.cnn. com/2004/HEALTH/12/13/cold.flu.desk/ — Source

6

CHOCOLATE CONTAINS LEAD. Cocoa bean shells have the ability to absorb lead from the air, and Nigeria, the source of much of our chocolate, uses leaded gasoline. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning from chocolate, and lead poisoning has been linked to lower test scores in schools. CRACKED.COM http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index .sf/2010/05/study_startlingly-high_levels.html — Source

5

PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO BRIGHT LIGHTS CAN MAKE YOU SICK. The use of fluorescent lights and/or over-illumination can cause health concerns including headache, fatigue, stress, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and, wait for it, erectile dysfunction. CRACKED.COM http://www.healthfitnessportal.com/ealth-effects-about-over-illumination.html — Source

4

BOREDOM IS BAD FOR YOUR HEART. London researchers found that men with dull, unchallenging jobs were at higher risk for heart attack. Boredom makes your heart beat slowly and steadily. When the heart is used to beating at a slow rate, it's unprepared for exercise or shock, and can't adapt. CRACKED.COM http://menshealth about.com/od/work/a/deadly_jobs him? — Source

3

MEN'S NIPPLES BLEED DURING LONG-DISTANCE RUNS. 1634 Nipples don't callus, so they're sensitive to the salt caused by sweat. The salt combines with the fabric of your shirt to create what is effectively sandpaper. Most women aren't afflicted, because they wear sport bras. GRACKED.COM — Source

2

DAILY SHOWERING MAKES YOU MORE LIKELY TO GET SICK. Constant showering and bathing strip off the skin's horny layer and leave us more susceptible to disease. It also doesn't kill off micro-organisms, although it will move them around. Studies have shown there's no difference in the number of micro-organisms on a person's body, whether they bathe frequently or hardly ever. GRACKED.COM http://healt howstuffworks com/skin-care/daily/tips/daily-shower-skin1 htm — Source

1

GIVING BIRTH LYING ON YOUR BACK WITH YOUR FEET IN THE AIR MAKES LABOR LONGER AND HARDER, AND INCREASES THE CHANCE OF TEARING. Extended pushing can cause damage, pain, and decreased oxygen to the fetus. The World Health Organization specifically recommends against this position, which was created for the convenience of doctors. CRACKED.COM http://whqlibdoe who int/hg/1996/HO_FRH_MSM_96 24 pdf — Source

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