I have a pet peeve with gargling. In Japan everyone is convinced that it prevents the flu. In fact I sometimes have to witness old men and women gargling in the staff room at various universities I work at. I have always suspected that it is just another old wives tale. The Japan Times Zeitgiest column looks at this issue:
In fact, in the Sept. 14, 2007, issue of Internal Medicine, this team published findings that address the very question we ask. The research is titled "Can We Prevent Influenza-like Illnesses by Gargling?" and basically consists of further analysis of an earlier trial. The conclusion is particularly worth noting: "We could not demonstrate significant preventive effects of gargling against influenza-like illnesses." No "significant preventive effects"? Then why in the world is the MHLW recommending that people gargle to avoid contracting the flu? Mostly because of custom and the earlier trial on which these findings are based.
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