Don't swallow that!

Here's what carrots really do for your eyes! 10 little-known food facts

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There are some common beliefs about food that, despite their popularity, are actually fake. While science has already done its job and debunked them, many of these myths have an explanation! If you want to know the story behind these myths and the truth revealed by nutritionists, don't miss this article!

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There's a common misconception about coffee and tea that many people still believe. It has long been said that these delicious infusions cause dehydration. Luckily for all coffee lovers, this is a myth!

It turns out that the caffeine present in coffee and tea is indeed a diuretic, which causes you to go to the bathroom more often. However, you'd need to consume large amounts —far more than most people typically drink— to become dehydrated.

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We know that white potatoes are delicious, but why do many people leave them out of their diet? Well, because there has always been a misconception about this vegetable.

We should give the poor potato another chance and let it defend itself! This vegetable is actually a good source of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, especially if you eat the skin. What caused them to be accused of being "bad" is their higher glycemic index compared to other vegetables, which can lead to a fast rise in blood sugar levels. But if you don't have any health conditions related to sugar in your blood, potatoes can be part of a balanced diet. Just remember to leave the oil out of the recipe!

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Who can say no to a little piece of delicious chocolate? But this tasty treat hasn't escaped the fake news either.

For a long time, it has been accused of causing acne on the skin of those who eat it. However, there's no scientific evidence directly linking chocolate with the skin condition. The skin's reaction to certain ingredients varies from person to person, and acne is more often associated with products high in added sugar or dairy rather than chocolate itself.

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Although you may feel that your body is in urgent need of a detox after a heavy dinner, you don't really need special juices for that. In recent years, "detox" recipes and diets have gained a lot of traction, especially in social networks. However, the human body naturally "detoxifies" itself through your liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive system as long as you mantain a healthy and balanced diet.

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Nothing bad will happen if you eat something after 7 p.m. While it's true that heavy meals close to bedtime can make you feel a little sick or give you a stomach ache, the "nothing after 7" rule is actually a myth.

Fortunately, our stomachs can't tell time; what matters is eating healthy and trying to finish meals at least 2-3 hours before going to bed, regardless of your bedtime.

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During WWII, it was said that British pilots had great eyesight and aim thanks to the large amount of carrots they included in their diet. However, over time, it was revealed that their advantage came more from the use of radar technology rather than from carrots.

Although this vegetable is indeed a good source of vitamin A —which is very beneficial for your eyes— eating carrots alone is not enough to keep your eyes healthy, let alone cure any eye condition.

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Every meal of the day is important, but what you eat matters more than when you eat it.

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day gained fame following cereal advertising campaigns in the early 20th century. However, science shows that it depends on each person's needs, with the quality of your food being more important than the time of day you eat it.

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If you're like us and love summer, here's some good news for you: It has been shown that there is no evidence to point out that swimming after eating is harmful.

The wait to swim after lunch is over! While eating too much might make you feel a bit heavy, the truth is that a break in the pool won't harm your digestion.

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Many people still believe that eating healthy is expensive, and that's why they don't give it a chance. But that's actually a myth associated with the high prices of some products labeled as "Low fat" or "Light in calories."

While it's true that the least healthy foods are often the quickest and cheapest, there are many healthy options that are also affordable. Whole grains (rice, oats), legumes (beans, lentils), and frozen, canned, or fresh vegetables are great options to start!

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Although delicious, sugar often gets a bad reputation, which is why fruits are sometimes viewed with suspicion by those trying to lose weight. However, the truth is that not all sugars are the same.

As products given to us by nature, fruits are rich in sugar, but the natural kind, which your body digests differently than artificial and refined added sugars. Plus, fruits are rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants!

Fictional spokespeople

What do a clown, a tiger, and a jug have in common? Famous brand mascots

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Who knew a tiger could help sell cereal? Or that adding a smiley face to a juice pitcher would mark the inception of a cultural icon? Some brand mascots started as marketing experiments and evolved into household names, often becoming even more famous than the products they represent. Let’s dive into the origins of these anthropomorphized symbols and explore whether they were rooted in reality or purely imagined.

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Wendy, the famous red-haired, pigtailed girl, was not entirely fictional: She was named after the founder’s daughter. Dave Thomas opened his new restaurant serving square burgers in 1969 and wanted a family-friendly image that conveyed warmth. To achieve that, he decided to use the name and likeness of his daughter Melinda Lou "Wendy" Thomas.

The original Wendy’s restaurant in Michigan featured pictures of the real girl, but this was not replicated anywhere else. Dave revealed years later that he regretted building the brand around his daughter, which, he felt, exposed her more than intended. Instead, Dave himself appeared in the brand’s commercials until his passing in 2002. After 2010, the real Wendy proudly took over that role.

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Originally, Kool-Aid ads in the 1950s featured a pitcher of Kool-Aid with a simple smiley face. Executives liked the concept, and as the brand evolved, they opted for a more dynamic, engaging character to connect with children—thus, Kool-Aid Man was born.

By the 1970s, Kool-Aid Man had taken on a fully anthropomorphic form: a big, round pitcher with limbs and a face. Known for his dramatic entrances and unforgettable catchphrase, "Oh yeah!," he would burst through walls to save the day and bring refreshment, becoming a hero to thirsty kids. He has since become a true pop culture figure, frequently cited online and in comedy TV shows like Family Guy.

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Even though General Mills's Betty Crocker has never been a real person, she has ranked among America's most trusted figures for decades. In 1945, Fortune magazine named her the second most popular woman in America, right after Eleanor Roosevelt.

She was created by the Washburn-Crosby Company to personalize responses to customer inquiries about baking. This, in turn, helped make the brand appear more human and friendly. "Crocker" was a nod to William Crocker, a retired executive of the company. Over the years, a series of "portraits" were published to depict how she looked, which only fueled the belief of thousands who thought the famous cook was real.

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Characteristic bright yellow-and-red colors and a wide grin: that is the trademark of the clown mascot of McDonald’s fast-food chain. He is probably one of the most recognizable mascots in the world. Ronald has remained McDonald's most iconic mascot since the 1960s, though the brand introduced other characters over the years, such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Birdie the Early Bird, all of whom populate the imaginary McDonaldland.

This clown was inspired by the success of a Washington, D.C.-based clown named "Bozo." Willard Scott, the actor behind Bozo, played the first Ronald McDonald, wearing an early version of the iconic costume, complete with a cup for a nose and a tray on his head.

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Colonel Sanders has always been KFC's main mascot, though he’s been portrayed by different actors over the years, including Reba McEntire, George Hamilton, and the ironically named Norm Macdonald. Colonel Harland Sanders was a real person, born in 1890, who began selling his famous fried chicken from a roadside restaurant in Kentucky during the 1930s. Known for his white suit, black string tie, and goatee, Sanders established a look that would define KFC for generations.

After selling his company, he remained the face of KFC, making public appearances as "the Colonel." His image became iconic, and his smiling face is forever lit up in KFC restaurants around the world.

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The Michelin Man is officially called Bibendum, or "Bib" for short. The name comes from the Latin phrase "Nunc est bibendum," meaning "Now is the time to drink." This was because the first ad featuring him showed an illustration of Bibendum holding a glass filled with nails, broken glass, and other sharp objects, with the slogan, "Michelin tires drink up obstacles."

Bibendum was born in 1894 when the founders of Michelin, noticed a stack of tires that resembled a human figure. Four years later, artist Marius Rossillon brought him to life in the first iconic poster. Back then, Bib was supposed to stand for the toughness and resilience of Michelin tires, but over the years, his look softened, and he took on a friendlier appearance, ditching the accessories he had been adorned with at first, like spectacles and a cigar.

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In the late 1950s, Procter & Gamble had an idea: Why not create a genie-like, powerful character to embody the toughness and reliability of cleaning products? Thus, the bald and muscular Mr. Clean was born.

Some say he was loosely modeled after a real-life U.S. Navy sailor, the walking image of strength, trustworthiness, and an impeccable cleaning standard. Whether true or not, Mr. Clean became a household name. Known as "Don Limpio" in Spanish-speaking countries and "Monsieur Propre" in France, his look has remained the same internationally.

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The "Captain Morgan pose," with one leg propped up on a barrel, has become iconic and is often replicated by fans. Captain Morgan even launched a "Pose Off" challenge, inviting people to share their best Captain Morgan stance on social media.

Captain Morgan, from the eponymous rum brand, was inspired by Sir Henry Morgan, a real 17th-century Welsh privateer who became famous in the Caribbean for his exploits and later served as Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. The mascot’s swashbuckling design—complete with a tricorne hat, pirate attire, and the famous pose—invites drinkers to "Live Like the Captain."

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Juan Valdez is a coffee brand, but before that, he was a standalone symbol. The coffee farmer was the mascot for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. Introduced in the late 1950s, he was meant to personify the hard-working Colombian coffee farmers and distinguish Colombian coffee from other brands in the international market.

The point was to emphasize that all coffee under the Juan Valdez name was 100% Colombian and hand-picked. The character of Juan Valdez, with his traditional coffee farmer attire, mustache, and hat, was designed to reflect the authenticity and heritage of Colombian coffee. He is sometimes accompanied by his mule, Conchita, who helps him transport coffee beans.

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Let’s wrap up with the one and only behind the famous slogan: "They’re grrreat!" Tony the Tiger is the mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal, one of the most beloved mascots in advertising. In the 1950s, Kellogg’s also experimented with a few other potential mascots for Frosted Flakes, including Katy the Kangaroo, Elmo the Elephant, and Newt the Gnu, but Tony was the clear fan favorite.

Tony was created in the 1950s by Leo Burnett advertising agency. He was designed to symbolize strength, athleticism, and positivity, encouraging parents to purchase what was marketed as the healthiest cereal for their children. His personality came to life when voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft (also known for singing You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch) gave Tony his iconic, deep voice and signature catchphrase.