Coronavirus: Top 11 Popular Food Myths Around The Disease Busted

Novel Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on planet Earth, with several countries greatly affected by the pandemic. Since the crisis is unprecedented and new to humankind, there has also been a rise of rapid spread of misinformation along with it. There are many alternative cures and preventive measures doing the rounds on the internet. While some home remedies claim that they can cure people infected by the virus, other suggest that they will help avoid the virus in the first place. A fact check reveals that most of them are untrue, as clarified by certified health organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the Press Information Bureau and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. People are also saying that the virus spreads through various food items, which is a complete myth.

Here Are The 11 Popular Food Myths Around Coronavirus Busted:

1. Myth: Eating frozen foods such as ice-cream spreads the Coronavirus.

Fact Check: False. There is no scientific evidence that hygienically made frozen foods and ice-cream spreads the Coronavirus.

#IndiaFightsCorona:

???? Does eating frozen foods and ice-cream ???? spread the new #Coronavirus❓❓❓

➡️There is no scientific evidence that eating hygienically made frozen food and ice-cream ???? spreads there new #Coronavirus#StayAtHome
Via @WHOpic.twitter.com/1xzV2XnjjE— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) April 30, 2020

2. Myth: Adding pepper to your soup or other meals prevents Coronavirus.

Fact Check: False. Hot peppers in your food do not help in prevention or cure of the Coronavirus.

#IndiaFightsCorona:

????FACT

➡️ Adding pepper to your soup ???? or other meals DOES NOT prevent or cure #COVID19#StayAtHome
Via @WHOpic.twitter.com/mH6QcD59PR— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) April 30, 2020

3. Myth: Drinking lots of water every 15 minutes helps flush out the Coronavirus.

Fact Check: False. There is no evidence that drinking lots of water flushes out the Coronavirus. However, for good health, it is recommended by WHO to have adequate water.

6⃣ Does drinking lots of water every 15 minutes flush out the new #coronavirus & protects against #COVIDー19?

A: There is no evidence that drinking lots of water flushes out the new coronavirus. However, for good health, it is recommended to have adequate water????#COVID19pic.twitter.com/8xsegfAsYO— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) March 24, 2020

4. Myth: Lemon and turmeric help prevent Covid-19.

Fact check: False. There is no scientific evidence that lemon/turmeric prevents COVID-19. In general, however, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetable as part of a healthy diet.

4⃣ Does lemon & turmeric prevent #COVIDー19?

A: There is no scientific evidence that lemon/turmeric????prevents COVID-19. In general, however, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetable as part of a healthy diet.#coronaviruspic.twitter.com/WHvAvvc2U2— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) March 23, 2020

5. Myth: Coronavirus can be treated by gargling with warm water mixed with salt and vinegar.

Fact Check: False. Coronavirus can not be treated by gargling with warm water mixed with salt and vinegar.

The correct answer is NO.#Coronavirus can not be treated by gargling with warm water mixed with salt and vinegar.

सही जवाब : नहीं |

गर्म पानी में नमक और सिरका मिलाकर गरारे करने से कोरोनावायरस का इलाज नहीं किया जा सकता है |— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 22, 2020

6. Myth: Eating garlic helps prevent infection with Covid-19.

Fact Check: False. Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. There is no evidence that eating garlic has protected people from Coronavirus.

MYTH BUSTERS:

Q: Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new #coronavirus?
A: ???? is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. There is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from coronavirus. #COVID19pic.twitter.com/VjWg73Ds4J— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) March 6, 2020

7. Myth: Drinking fresh bitter gourd juice can cure the Coronavirus.

Fact Check: False. Drinking bitter gourd juice cannot cure Covid-19.

Correct Answer: No
Drinking bitter gourd juice cannot cure #Coronavirus Infection.

सही जवाब : नहीं |
करेले का जूस पीने से कोरोनावायरस संक्रमण ठीक नहीं हो सकता है।— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 26, 2020

8. Myth: Eating chicken causes spread of new Coronavirus.

Fact Check: False. Eating hygienically prepared and well-cooked chicken is safe and does not cause the spread of the Coronavirus.

7⃣ Eating chicken causes the spread of the new #coronavirus?

A: Eating hygienically prepared and well-cooked chicken????is safe and does not cause the spread of the new coronavirus.#COVID19#COVIDー19pic.twitter.com/WEbatq9OVC— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) March 24, 2020

9. Myth: Using Mustard Oil in cooking can help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Fact Check: False. Mustard oil does not help preventing Covid-19.

सरसों के तेल से कोरोनावायरस को रोका जा सकता है |— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 1, 2020

10. Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kills the virus.

Fact Check: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can not kill the new Coronavirus. False.

Correct Answer: No
Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can not kill the new #Coronavirus.

सही जवाब : नहीं |
अल्कोहल या क्लोरीन को शरीर पर छिड़कने से कोरोनावायरस को नहीं मारा जा सकता है|— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 12, 2020

11. Myth:  Fruits and vegetables need to be washed in soap or detergent water.

Fact Check: The fresh produce should be washed normally as it washed on any other regular occasion - that is with clean water only. However, it is important to wash our hands with soap and water before washing produce. 

Q: How should I wash fruit and vegetables in the time of #COVID19?
#coronavirus#knowthefactspic.twitter.com/JulBV7YDS6— World Health Organization Western Pacific (@WHOWPRO) April 27, 2020

It is important that we should maintain good respiratory hygiene and focus on personal sanitation at all times. WHO reiterates the same in their tweet, by asking people to take of their body while at home. It is important to stay hydrated and eat a balanced meal. Rest is also very important while staying at home during lockdown. Here's the official tweet:

Take care of your body as you #StayHome:

????Ensure you stay hydrated
????????Eat a balanced diet
????Rest well#COVID#Coronavirus#StaySafe#StayHealthypic.twitter.com/tHCWgE9nw4— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) April 9, 2020

The bottom line is that we should focus on information from official sources only, and not rely on forwarded messages or word-of-mouth. These common misconceptions and myths must not be relied upon for prevention or cure of the disease. Every life is important during the Covid-19 epidemic and together with cooperation and commitment we can fight and win the battle.

For the full list of myth busters by WHO, click here.