Doctor Fact-Checks Grandma’s Medical Advice

*7UP has no caffeine, I confused it with Mountain Dew, but my point still holds about it being a bad "cure".

Grandma’s are so good at loving us and guiding us through life with their wisdom… but what about all those medical tips they’ve got? Things like “not going outside with wet hair” or “don’t swim 30 minutes after eating”… is there any validity to those claims? These old wives’ tales have been around for generations, and it’s time we put them to the test to see what’s true and what isn’t. I collabed with TikTok’s grandma, GB (Grandma Bobbe) to provide some insight into the medical murkiness of things like swallowing your gum, frowns vs. smiles, chicken noodle soup curing a cold, not exercising when sick, cracking your knuckles, raw meat on bruises, plucking hairs, watermelon seeds, crossing your eyes, sugar making you hyper, sitting close to the tv, snacking and ruining your appetite, carrots being good for your eyes, and sucking your thumb.

Follow GB here:

I LOVE reading your comments and take your suggestions seriously. If there’s a subject you want me to discuss or something you’d like for me to react to, leave a comment down below. Many of my videos have been born out of suggestions directly from you, so don’t hold back!
-Doctor Mike Varshavski

Help us continue the fight against medical misinformation and change the world through charity by becoming a Doctor Mike Resident on Patreon where every month I donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity, organization, or cause of your choice! Residents get access to bonus content, an exclusive discord community, and many other perks for just $10 a month. Become a Resident today:

Let’s connect:



* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[mechelle]

It’s so heartbreaking that’s she’s passed. She was a precious soul.

[oblxddy_nxrseo]

Funnily enough, my dad is allergic to apples. For him the saying is “An apple a day means the doctor will stay.”

[scelliot]

My grandma is a retired nurse. She retired about 4 yrs ago, when she had a stroke. She worked with kids a lot, and can almost always accurately diagnose diseases. Mostly simple ones, but when my mom had cancer and didn't know it, she was the one who felt it might be cancer and made her go to the hospital. And she was right, it was cancer. My mom would be dead if it weren't for my grandma.

[JasmineEleonora]

I told my Nana that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and completely deadpan she just answered:
"Yeah, if you've got good aim."
I was wheezing.

[valhallaacresmercantile]

My grandma’s medical advice is always, “it will feel better when it quits hurting.” Not wrong but also not helpful.

[KoolArtz]

Doctor Mike: “Hug your bruise”

Me: *hugs the bruise*

The bruise: *Hurts worse*

Me: “I thought you were a professional!”

[That_Art_Girl]

Fun Facts: When my twin brother and I were babies, we really liked carrot and sweet potato puree's so my mum kept feeding us them...We actually did turn orange! 😂☺🥰

[AlexohiREAL]

About the soda helping your stomach thing - there is actually a bit of truth to it! As someone with chronic GI problems, nothing has helped more than soda for soothing nausea (besides medicine ofc lol). I think the theory behind it is the fizzy bubbles can apparently encourage motility in the GI tract - and can make you burp more lmao, which could help if gas is part of what's causing your problem. Another thing is that nausea/stomach issues and a sore throat often go hand-in-hand, and lots of people can't get down water because it's too hard on the throat. Clearer drinks, like 7-up/sprite among other things that aren't soda, can be more tolerable and help you rehydrate, and hydration can help soothe your stomach/symptoms of an illness!

Obviously drinks with electrolytes and less sugar are preferable, but I for example can't tolerate tea as it's harsh on my throat like water is, and thicker drinks like milk can cause extra mucus which isn't great if you're sick. If it works, it works lol

[finsterfaehe]

About the sugar thing: My Mom used to give me a glass of sugar water whenever I could not sleep, and I fell asleep a short while afterwards. I still use that today, if I absolutely cannot sleep and it has never let me down. (Thanks Mom.)

[AsadK.]

I love how he is always calling her Grandma and he is so respectful towards her.

[clairethompson]

I miss GB so much. I lost my grandparents when I was in my teens, and GB reminds me so much of them. It was so wonderful to have grandmotherly wisdom in my life ❤ she was a true gem and made the world better by existing!

[aselrahc]

7-Up doesn’t have caffeine. As the old 80s commercial used to say, “ never had it, never will.”

[docalvin]

Out of context: I think Doc Mike’s editor is a fan of Breaking Bad. Yeah science! 👌🏼

[ryanmemes]

I’m glad she’s not saying that not wearing socks gives you a bladder infection like mine says all the time

[BeccaHetrick]

I believed everything my Gram said (my Mom's Mom) because she was an herbalist and helped SOOOO many people through her life... She was one of those tough old ladies that had nine kids on a farm. She was awesome! She even took care of people she didn't know in her own home...

[this_is_patrick]

"It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile."

Lesson learned: constantly frowning is the first step in achieving a swole face.

[cozycows]

The “carrots are good for your eyes” myth is from WW2! The British military didn’t want anyone to know about their fancy new tool called RADAR, but needed to come up with an excuse for why they were suddenly finding more enemy planes and such. So they said “ah yes, our soldiers are eating carrots and it’s making their eyes good. Yep yep nothing to see here”

[viciousvenus]

The fact Mike thought grandma was flirting with him. So funny😆

[BranFlores]

I’m like 99% sure mike was on something during this video, I loved the trip.

[kidney]

“grandma needs a little sugar in her life” ok, wow... I guess we all do?