Old wives' tales - fact or fiction? Part 2

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4. Eating oranges stops you getting colds

Everyone knows that getting a dose of vitamin C helps wards off snuffles, don't they? Well, although eating oranges is good for you, according to research by the Australian National University and the University of Helsinki, there is no evidence that vitamin C can directly fight a cold.

Dr Chris' verdict: While there's not much evidence to suggest that vitamin C will do anything, eating oranges will count as one of your daily portions of fruit and veg, which is vital for keeping your immune system going.

5. Don't go out with wet hair

A true classic - if you go outside without using the hair dryer, you'll catch a cold, especially during winter. This appears to be so far from the truth, we think it was made up entirely by mums who wanted their kids to dry their hair properly.

Dr Chris' verdict: A load of rubbish - there's no scientific basis for this having any bad or good effect on you.

6. Wrap a bruise in brown paper

There are a lot of home remedies that involve spreading goose fat, molasses or mustard on brown paper and then wrapping this around your bruise or other affected area. Unsurprisingly, there is no scientific proof that it works!

Dr Chris' verdict: Again, there's no evidence that proves that this will work. However, what you can't forget are the psychological benefits that something as simple as this can have. If someone believes it will work, it can often help a person get over something more quickly, even though it's having no medical effect.

7. An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Well, eating a Granny Smith every day might not cure everything, but scientists have discovered that apples are pretty impressive fruits.

They contain something called quercetin that has been found to help both lung and prostate cancer, as well as lower the likelihood of heart disease.

And that's not all - research has discovered that apples can help fight Alzheimer's and breast cancer.

Dr Chris' verdict: This is sound advice - apples contain vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants which will all help you fight off illness. An apple also counts as one of your five portions of fruit and veg a day.

- Next: Will eating greens make your hair go curly? Read more old wives' tales

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- Get more great advice from Dr Chris at FamilyGP.com

By Rob Mansfield