11 Wellness Myths, Debunked By The Experts

TRUTH: Not Necessarily. “There’s no one probiotic for ‘general gut health’. I like to think of probiotics a little like medication: different strains do different things, so they should be chosen based on the specific issue you’re trying to address. When it comes to supporting your gut health more broadly, that’s where food comes in. Probiotics can absolutely have a role but it’s about choosing the right strain for the right reason. Rather than taking a random probiotic as daily ‘gut health insurance’, focus on feeding your gut microbes well and use probiotics when there’s a specific, evidence-based reason to do so.” – Dr Megan Rossi, PhD, RD, @THEGUTHEALTHDOCTOR 

TRUTH: Not unless a test says so. “Cortisol is an essential hormone that plays a role in everything from our stress response to metabolism and energy regulation. The idea that everyday stress is giving you ‘cortisol face’ or causing weight gain is a huge oversimplification. Unless you’ve had a test confirming elevated cortisol levels, you probably don’t need to be trying to ‘lower your cortisol’.” – Adrienne Adhami, wellness expert & author

TRUTH: Meditation can mean different things to different people. “Meditation is often the first thing to fall by the wayside when life gets busy, which can leave people feeling guilty for not doing enough for their mental health. I encourage patients to find a middle ground between doing nothing and formal, solitary meditation. That could be as simple as watching a film with your phone switched off and out of reach or reading. Small pockets of uninterrupted time like this can be a useful stepping stone.” – Ross J. Barr, registered acupuncturist & women's health expert 

TRUTH: Not without some help. “More protein doesn’t automatically mean more muscle. Resistance training provides the signal that stimulates muscle growth, while protein supports the process and can also help with appetite control. Once you’re meeting your needs, adding more protein won’t necessarily build more muscle – particularly if it means crowding out other important nutrients, such as fibre.” – Rhian Stephenson, nutritionist, naturopath & founder of ARTAH

TRUTH: It’s actually more about strength. “At its heart, Pilates is about strength, control and how well your body moves as a connected system. You’re working against resistance, stabilising your joints and building strength through your existing range of motion rather than simply trying to increase it. For me, the important distinction is that flexibility gives you range, while strength and control give you ownership of it. That’s where Pilates becomes so powerful. It’s also often dismissed as ‘easy’ but because so much of the practice is slow, precise and controlled, there’s very little room to hide. Done properly, it can be incredibly challenging.” – Jessie Blum, founder & CEO of Heartcore

TRUTH: Calories do different things once you eat them. “We’ve been taught to think about food like a maths equation: calories in, calories out. And yes, calories matter. If you consistently consume more energy than your body uses, you’ll store some of that energy. But calories only tell you how much energy is in food, not what that food actually provides your body. Take 500 calories of salmon versus 500 calories of biscuits and a fizzy drink. On paper, they’re the same; nutritionally, they’re very different. The salmon provides high-quality protein, omega-3 fats and nutrients such as B12 and selenium, which your body uses to make hormones, neurotransmitters, red blood cells, collagen and keratin. The biscuits and fizzy drink provide energy too, but considerably less in the way of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Think of calories as the amount of energy you’re buying. Nutrients are what you actually get for your money.” – Steph Robinson, holistic nutritionist

TRUTH: Not always. “People often assume that bloating after eating certain foods, particularly fibre-rich ones, means they have an intolerance. But that isn’t necessarily the case. Just as you wouldn’t go from sitting on the sofa to running a marathon overnight, your gut can need time to adapt to a higher-fibre diet. Increasing fibre too quickly can give your gut microbes more to ferment, which can lead to extra gas and bloating. That doesn’t mean you’re intolerant to fibre or need to avoid these foods altogether. Instead, think about becoming what I call ‘fibre fit’. If you’re experiencing symptoms, ease back a little before gradually increasing the amount and variety of fibre-rich foods you eat, giving your gut time to adjust. Slow and steady is key – just like training for that marathon.” – Dr Megan Rossi

TRUTH: Only temporarily & that’s not the point. “Social media has made us associate lymphatic drainage mainly with aesthetic results – looking less puffy, bloated or swollen. While those benefits are part of it, there’s much more to the lymphatic system, which plays an important role in immune function and fluid balance. Lymphatic drainage can also support digestion and help the body relax, so it’s not simply a quick fix before an event. For me, the real value comes from using it consistently to support the body over time, rather than chasing an immediate aesthetic result.” – Rebecca Trévalinet, lymphatic drainage expert & founder of Methode Trévalinet

TRUTH: There are some health benefits. “Chocolate is rich in copper, zinc and magnesium. It has impressive amounts of antioxidants, flavonoids and is a prebiotic, making it a great way to boost both brains and beauty. The key is to watch the sugar content – it needs to be dark; 70% is good, 85% cocoa content is even better.” – Karen Cummings-Palmer, health & beauty expert

TRUTH: No, they’re an essential part of a healthy diet. “Carbohydrates have somehow gone from being a staple of most diets to the villain of the wellness world. But carbs themselves aren’t the problem – they’re one of the body’s main sources of energy. What matters is the type you’re eating and what you eat alongside them. My approach is to give carbs some friends: start with vegetables, add a good source of protein, healthy fats and fibre, then enjoy your carbs. Think oats, beans, lentils, potatoes, quinoa, whole grains, fruit and sourdough more often than ultra-refined, sugary foods. Carbohydrates are also particularly useful around exercise, helping to support energy, performance and recovery. You don’t need to fear the carb – just give it some context.” – Steph

TRUTH: Acupuncture is proven to work. “There is no question as to whether acupuncture works or not. It works at such a deep physiological level. It doesn’t matter if you believe in it or not – especially if your acupuncturist has the right diagnosis and is qualified to know which points to target. Nothing would last for 5,000 years if it didn’t work.” – Ross

DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme.