With the large number of misconceptions about food, the top food myths the nation believes to be correct have been revealed, according to new research.
The research of 2,000 respondents, conducted by AO.com in partnership with Hotpoint, revealed the top old wives’ tales that Brits believe to be true when it comes to food.
Top food myths Brits believe to be true:
- If an egg floats in water, then it’s no longer safe or fresh to eat (30%)
- Rice should never be reheated (22%)
- Raw vegetables are better for you than cooked vegetables (21%)
- Bread kept in the fridge lasts longer (17%)
- Organic food is healthier than non-organic (15%)
- Eating celery burns more calories than you gain by eating it (13%)
- Vinegar never goes off (12%)
- Salt stops boiling eggs from cracking (11%)
- Chicken soup cures a cold (11%)
- Food dropped on the floor is fine as long as you pick it up within 3 – 5 seconds (10%)
- Eating fish makes you smart (10%)
- Eating carrots helps you see in the dark (10%)
- Microwaving vegetables makes them less nutritious (9%).
More than 1 in 4 (30%) said that they believe if an egg floats in water then its no longer safe or fresh to eat, taking the top spot in the list.
This was followed by 22% who believe it to be true that rice should never be reheated and a further 21% who said they think that raw vegetables are better for you than cooked vegetables.
1 in 6 (17%) believe that bread that is kept in the fridge lasts longer, followed closely behind by 15% who said that they assume organic food is healthier than non-organic.
More than 1 in 7 (13%) feel that eating celery burns more calories than you gain by eating it, 12% said vinegar never goes off, and 11% said that salt stops boiling eggs from cracking, while the same number (11%) also believe eating chicken soup cures a cold.
Food dropped on the floor is fine to eat as long as you pick it up with 3-5 seconds, eating fish makes you smart and eating carrots helps you see in the dark all came in jointly at ninth place (10%).
Microwaving vegetables makes them less nutritious (9%) rounded off the list of the top 10 food statements Brits believe to be true.
When quizzed on where these beliefs have come from family has a large part to play as more than half (56%) said it was mum and more than 1 in 3 (34%) revealed it was their grandparents.
The study also identified Brits’ cooking habits – just 24% said they cook with fresh ingredients every day at home and more than 1 in 4 (26%) cited a busy lifestyle as the main reason for stopping them cooking with fresh ingredients more often.
David Lawson, managing director of AO.com, said: “The research shows how many old wives’ tales we believe while growing up with our food and it’s fair to say these influences mostly come from our family. What is surprising to see in the research though is how little people cook with fresh ingredients at home. There are so many cooking appliances to choose from to help make life that little bit easier and get people to enjoy cooking at home again.“
Catherine Balderson, senior brand manager of Hotpoint, said: “It is interesting to see from the data how many misconceptions we have when it comes to food. We want to encourage people to think about cooking at home in a whole new way. By stocking up on all of your favourite ingredients and making the most of what’s in your fridge you will be sure to easily rustle up a couple of dishes straight from the comfort of your own home for everyone in the family to enjoy.”