20 Things You Always Believed… That Turned Out to Be Wrong

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Jul 8, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

Facts, what even are they? Pieces of information? Do they even need to be true? And if so for how long do they need to be true in order to be deemed a fact? For example, you might consider the immense shift humanity went through when we began to accept that we revolved around the sun and not the other way around.

For centuries, it was the fact that we were stationary, but even with all that time behind it, one single change brought that fact tumbling down. So perhaps what we have learned here is that it is not about the fact itself, but about being up-to-date on what is still fact and what has become fiction with time. And as such we present you with this list of things you always believed to be true, that turned out to be wrong. Because you never know when we will find out that the sky is actually a light shade of pink.

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  • 01
    OrangeCity Times.com orange city times Myth #1 Using your phone at a petrol pump can cause explosions. Reality: There's no real scientific evidence. It's a myth repeated out of caution. Swipe Right 02
    via orangecitytimes

  • This is a mind bender for sure. All those signs, all those people fearfully telling us to put our phones away. For nothing? Well, we would argue that considering the situation revolves around highly flammable fuel and big cars, it might be best to be alert and not buried in your phone any which way.

  • 02
    OrangeCity Times.com orange city times Myth #2 We only use 10% of our brain. Reality: Brain scans show we use nearly all parts of our brain every day! Swipe Right 03
    via orangecitytimes
  • 03
    OrangeCity Times.com NO THANKS, BRO! orange city times Myth #3 You swallow 8 spiders a year in your sleep. Reality: Spiders don't want to crawl into your mouth. It's just internet fear- mongering. Swipe Right 03
    via orangecitytimes
  • 04
    OrangeCity Times.com orange city times MYTH BUSTED Myth #4 Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. Reality: No link found. It's just air bubbles popping! Swipe Right 03
    via orangecitytimes

  • Ah shoot, what are we meant to tell the kids now when they are popping their knuckles like they are an Italian mob boss about to avenge the passing of their father? It is the most annoying thing, and of course, once one child starts doing it they all do. Let’s keep this one a secret amongst us adults ok?

  • 05
    OrangeCity Times.com orange city times REPORT CARD A+ Myth #5 Goldfish have a 3-second memory. Reality: They can remember things for months and even recognize faces. Swipe Right 03
    via orangecitytimes
  • 06
    Why do people pay more for organic? There are 3 main claims: • Safety: Believing that organic foods reduce exposure to pesticides and other "chemicals" • Nutrition: Believing that organic food is more nutritious • Environment: Thinking that organic farming is better for the planet But what does the science actually say? Let's examine each claim.
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 07
    The biggest misconception: "Organic is pesticide-free" • Both organic and conventional farms use pesticides. • The difference: Organic farming does not use synthetic pesticides (with a few exceptions!) and instead use natural pesticides to control pests. "Synthetic" pesticides are manufactured by industrial processes. "Natural" pesticides come from plants, minerals, or animals. But here's the thing: natural doesn't automatically mean safer. • The safety of a pesticide depends on its dose, how it
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 08
    UNBIASED SCIENCE What pesticides are used in organic farming? There are many pesticides and pest control agents approved for use in organic crop and livestock production in the United States, including: ● Copper compounds - used to control fungal and bacterial diseases Aqueous potassium silicate - used as an insecticide and fungicide • Boric acid - used for pest control • & many more! Plot twist: Even some synthetic substances are allowed in organic farming such as vaccines for livestock, chlori
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 09
    Another misconception: "Organic food is healthier" What does the science say? Stanford School of Medicine 2012 meta-study and 2019 meta-study in Nutrients both concluded little-to-no evidence that eating organic food leads to better health outcomes than non-organic food. small differences exist: Slightly higher levels of certain antioxidants in some organic produce Lower pesticide residue levels in organic food (but as we've established, this doesn't translate to meaningful health benefits)
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 10
    The nutritional differences between organic and conventional versions of the same food are tiny compared to other factors that affect nutrition. What matters more? Variety. Eating a wide variety of foods is key- aim for as many colors, textures, and flavors as you can! Each type of produce brings something unique to the table: cruciferous veggies are rich in vitamin C and fiber, tomatoes are loaded with lycopene and potassium, and beans are full of protein and fiber. The real nutritional power c
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 11
    Factors that affect nutrition more than organic vs conventional: • Produce variety: A Red Delicious vs Honeycrisp apple has bigger nutritional differences than organic vs conventional. • Freshness: A conventional strawberry picked yesterday beats an organic one shipped across the country. Growing conditions: Same organic tomato grown in rich California soil vs poor soil elsewhere = vastly different nutrition. Storage time: Nutrients degrade during weeks of transport and storage. Buying local is
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 12
    What actually makes a difference is eating more fruits and veggies- period. Organic, conventional...whatevs! The problem isn't that people aren't eating enough organic produce. It's that they're not eating enough produce, full stop. Whether it's organic or not, just getting more whole foods on your plate is what matters most. The priority should be: Access. Affordability. Nutrition literacy. People need access to a variety of safe, nutritious foods, the ability to afford them, and the knowledge
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 13
    Environmental Impact: What the Science Says All types of farming impact the environment, and organic farming is no exception. Organic farming has benefits, but it's not always better for the environment: UNBIASED SCIENCE • Land Use. Organic yields are 16-33% lower, so more land is needed to grow the same amount of food. • Water Pollution. Organic farms often use manure, which, if not applied properly or during heavy rainfall, can lead to nutrient runoff, algae blooms, and oxygen- depleted dead z
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 14
    Both organic and conventional produce are safe, nutritious, and important for your health. What really matters: • Buy produce you can afford, that's accessible, and that you and your family actually enjoy! • Choose fresh, in-season produce whenever possible. •If you care about the environment: focus on eating less meat. • Don't let organic marketing fear tactics stop you from eating plenty of fruits and veggies. Our food supply is remarkably safe. The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetab
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 15
    THE UNBIASED SCIENCE NO, THE U.S. ISN'T LOOSEY-GOOSEY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD SAFETY. In fact, some synthetic food dyes are permitted in the EU but not in the US: Green S (E142) Patent Blue V (E131) Ponceau 4R (E124) Azorubine/Carmoisine (E122) Brown HT (E155) Brilliant Black (E151) Vegetable Carbon (E153) Alternatively, there are additives allowed in the U.S. but restricted in the EU, and sometimes the same colors simply have different names (like Red 40 in the U.S., which is E129 in Europe), whi
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 16
    FLIPPING THE PEANUT PLAYBOOK Why earlier is better It was once believed that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods was the best way to prevent allergies. The conventional wisdom was to avoid giving babies peanut products until age 3. However, research has shown this approach may have actually increased allergy risks, especially for high-risk infants.
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 17
    HOW SCIENCE CHANGED OUR UNDERSTANDING The groundbreaking LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) study revealed that: introducing peanut foods early -between 4-11 months- can reduce peanut allergy risk by more than 80% in high-risk children. This finding represents one of the biggest reversals in pediatric nutrition advice and has transformed how we approach early feeding.
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 18
    WHY TIMING MATTERS: THE "FRONT DOOR" THEORY Think of your baby's immune system like security for a house: When peanut proteins enter through the mouth (the "front door") early in life, the body learns to recognize them as welcome guests If the first exposure happens through broken skin (like a "broken window") from environmental exposure, the immune system may identify peanuts as dangerous intruders Early oral exposure helps develop "oral tolerance"— training the immune system to accept peanut p
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 19
    IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS Every child is different. The timing of introduction should be discussed with your healthcare provider, especially if your child has: • Severe eczema • Egg allergy •Family history of food allergies This information is educational only. Always consult your pediatrician before making dietary changes for your infant.
    via unbiasedscipod
  • 20
    THE BIGGER PICTURE The LEAP study demonstrates the self-correcting nature of science. Previous recommendations were based on limited evidence. With more comprehensive research, we now have a clearer picture of how to help prevent peanut allergies.
    via unbiasedscipod

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