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Love Island’s Dr Alex may not have had the best of luck in the villa, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to be a fantastic A&E doctor.

We asked him to debunk some common health myths - some of them may surprise you!

  • “The larger the surface area, the more heat loss”, says Dr Alex, so it’s actually a myth that you lose most of your body heat through your head.
  • An apple a day can help keep the doctor away, but “don’t have too many apples because you’re going to rot your teeth and you’ll have to see the dentist”, he says.
  • Don’t put toothpaste on the spot you’ve just seen on your face, says Dr Alex. Not only does it not work, but toothpaste is actually bad for spots. The NHS advises you avoid using it to try and clear up acne as the chemicals in toothpaste can harm your skin.
  • The Love Island doctor insists you shouldn’t have to feel guilty for having a lazy Sunday, as lie ins are actually good for you. “You’ve got to be able to have a day off every now and then. Sometimes you’re knackered and you just need to sleep.”
  • It is actually a myth that your muscles turn to fat when you stop exercising. Your muscles will shrink if they’re not stimulated, and fat stores will increase, but “one doesn’t turn into the other; they’re completely separate.”
  • Dr Alex says there’s no need to worry that your leg shaving routine is making your hair grow back at super-speed, as it’s a “common misconception” that shaving makes your hair grow faster.
  • Chicken soup can’t cure a cold. And that’s that.
  • Cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, as it is just air bubbles popping in your synovial fluid which can be found in your joints, says Dr Alex (while cracking his knuckles).
  • Lastly, if you’re looking for cheap blonde highlights this summer, look no further than your fruit bowl, as lemon juice can help bleach your hair.

This article was published in January 2019

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