Health.

“A glass of red wine helps protect against radiation on flights.”

A glass of red wine is not an established way to protect against flight radiation. No supplied study tests that benefit in airline passengers. A preliminary human experiment found reduced laboratory-induced DNA damage after de-alcoholized wine consumption, while alcohol tended to increase damage and whole wine showed protection only relative to alcohol. The claim turns limited findings about wine constituents into an unsupported practical benefit from drinking wine on flights.

“Men with excessive body fat mass tend to have insufficient androgen levels.”

Men with excess body fat are more likely to have lower testosterone, particularly with greater visceral adiposity. Observational and genetic evidence supports the association and suggests that increased fat mass can contribute to reduced testosterone. However, lower total testosterone does not always mean clinically significant androgen deficiency because free testosterone may remain normal.

“Cannabis lowers estrogen levels in women.”

Available evidence does not establish that cannabis lowers estrogen levels in women. Although preclinical research suggests cannabinoids could disrupt hormone-regulating pathways, direct human evidence is limited and has generally not shown a consistent reduction in estradiol. The claim turns a plausible mechanism into an unqualified causal effect that clinical research has not demonstrated.

“Smoking increases androgen levels in women.”

Smoking is generally associated with modestly higher levels of some androgens in women. A 2022 meta-analysis and several clinical studies support this pattern, although an earlier meta-analysis found no clear association for testosterone specifically. Because the evidence is predominantly observational and varies by hormone and menopausal status, it does not firmly establish that smoking directly causes an increase in every androgen across all women.

“Cannabis use increases androgen levels in women.”

Cannabis has not been shown to increase androgen levels in women generally. The study most suggestive of increased androgens involved only young men, while female-focused evidence is sparse, indirect and partly points toward hormonal suppression. A proposed association in heavy users with PCOS is too narrow and weakly supported to justify the claim’s broad causal wording.

“Bittersweet chocolate contains cocoa flavanols with antioxidant properties that might support cardiovascular health.”

The evidence supports a potential cardiovascular benefit from cocoa flavanols in bittersweet chocolate. Research and regulatory reviews link sufficient cocoa flavanol intake to improved endothelial function and blood flow, alongside documented antioxidant properties. Benefits depend on the product’s flavanol content and should not be interpreted as proven prevention of heart attacks or other cardiovascular events.

“Chocolate can contain high amounts of calories, sugar, and fat.”

Commercial solid chocolate can be calorie-dense and contain substantial sugar and fat. Nutrition guidance, peer-reviewed reviews, and product data consistently support this limited wording. Individual amounts vary by chocolate type, formulation, and serving size.

“People of Asian ancestry cannot metabolize alcohol.”

Alcohol metabolism is not categorically absent among people of Asian ancestry. A common variant in some East Asian populations reduces the breakdown of acetaldehyde, causing flushing and other effects, but many East Asians do not carry it, and carriers still metabolize ethanol. The statement wrongly applies a variable genetic trait to an entire ancestry group and mischaracterizes impaired metabolism as complete inability.

“Electromagnetic fields emitted by household electronic devices damage human health.”

Ordinary household-device electromagnetic-field exposure has not been shown to damage human health. Major health authorities report no consistent evidence of harmful effects at typical exposure levels. High-intensity exposures can cause harm, and certain devices may interfere with implanted medical equipment, but those limited circumstances do not establish a general household EMF hazard.

“Silicone muffin trays contain or release microplastics during use.”

Available evidence does not establish that silicone muffin trays contain or release microplastics during ordinary use. Studies do show migration of siloxanes and silicone oligomers into food and air when bakeware is heated, but these are molecular chemicals rather than solid microplastic particles. Conflating the two materially misrepresents what the research demonstrates.

“The adult human body typically has 206 bones.”

The accepted standard count for an adult human skeleton is 206 bones. Individual totals can differ because of anatomical variation, development, injury, surgery, or counting conventions, but the word “typically” accurately accommodates those exceptions.

“Antibiotics are effective in treating viral infections such as the common cold.”

Antibiotics neither treat viral infections nor provide meaningful benefit for the common cold. Major public-health guidance and systematic reviews consistently support this conclusion. Antibiotics may be appropriate for a diagnosed bacterial infection or complication, but that does not make them effective against the underlying virus.

“5G mobile telecommunications towers spread COVID-19.”

5G towers do not spread COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted mainly through virus-containing respiratory particles, while radio waves cannot carry viruses. Reported correlations between 5G deployment and COVID-19 cases do not establish causation and are outweighed by extensive virological and epidemiological evidence.

“The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.”

Authoritative evidence confirms the date and substance of the announcement. On March 11, 2020, WHO’s Director-General said COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic, an announcement widely and accurately summarized as WHO declaring a pandemic. “Declared” is colloquial rather than the title of a formal legal designation.

“Drinking household bleach cures coronavirus infection.”

Drinking household bleach does not cure coronavirus infection. Public-health authorities report no therapeutic benefit, while ingestion can cause severe burns, organ damage, poisoning, and death. Bleach can disinfect appropriate surfaces when used as directed, but that does not make it safe or effective inside the human body.

“Cold weather does not cause illness.”

The statement is too broad to be accurate. Cold weather does not itself create viral infections such as the common cold, but cold exposure can directly cause hypothermia and other cold-related conditions and can increase susceptibility to respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The valid distinction between cold temperatures and viral pathogens applies only to infectious illnesses, not illness generally.

“Regular consumption of Coca-Cola is unhealthy for children.”

The evidence supports the conclusion for standard sugary Coca-Cola. WHO guidance, pediatric recommendations, and systematic reviews link regular sugar-sweetened beverage intake in children to tooth decay, excess weight gain, and cardiometabolic risks. Undefined frequency and the possible inclusion of zero-sugar variants are scope caveats, but they do not materially alter the ordinary reading.

“Eating breakfast is not necessary for human health.”

Breakfast is not universally required to maintain health. Randomized evidence does not show consistent broad harm from skipping it, while adverse associations found in observational studies may partly reflect overall diet, lifestyle, and socioeconomic differences. Individual nutritional needs and some cardiometabolic markers can still make breakfast beneficial for particular people.

“Seven hours of sleep per night is suitable for humans.”

Seven hours is generally suitable as the lower end of recommended nightly sleep for healthy adults. The statement is too broad if “humans” includes every age group, since teenagers and children generally require more sleep, and individual adult needs vary. It should not be read as a universal target or maximum.

“Meta Platforms, Inc.'s social-media services cause harm to children.”

The evidence establishes that features and safety failures on Meta’s platforms have caused documented harm to some children. Court findings, internal evidence, and independent reporting connect platform design and exposure risks with mental-health and exploitation harms. This does not imply that every child, use, or Meta service is harmful.