In an era dominated by social media, it's increasingly difficult to distinguish between actual science-backed claims about what we eat and drink and those that have become popular only because they were posted by a celebrity or influencer, then liked and shared by thousands of other people. In many cases, these food myths gain even more traction when a reputable news source features them. These segments are often taken completely out of context once they get posted in social media. Take for example a report in Fox News headlined " Glass of Red Wine Equivalent to Hour of Gym Time ." While their guests, Doctors Marc Siegel and David Samadi, discussed how the benefits of exercising far outweigh those of the resveratrol found in red wine, only a paraphrased version of the headline made it to the social media platforms, a majority of which didn't even have a link to the news report or the study behind it. Let's try to help separate fact from fiction by debunking some of the more widespread misconceptions associated with the food we eat. Some Common Food Myths: Myth: You should avoid eggs because they are high in cholesterol.
Truth: Research has shown that eggs have a very small impact on blood cholesterol levels. In fact, eggs are an inexpensive source of many nutrients, including protein, zinc and iron, eye health carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin D, and the brain-boosting chemical choline. Myth: Carbohydrates make you fat.
Truth: Any type of food can cause you to gain weight if you overeat—that is, consume more than your body can burn. What you need to bear in mind is that not all carbohydrates are the same. While consuming sugary and refined-carbohydrate-rich foods like white bread, pasta, and pastries may lead to weight gain, healthy sources like whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables typically won't. Myth: High fructose corn syrup is worse than regular sugar (sucrose).
Truth: Regular sugar, honey, juice concentrates (used as natural sweeteners), and high fructose corn syrup have very similar chemical compositions. If you consumed the same amount of any of these types of sugar, the truth is that the health consequences would likely be the same. Myth: Sugar causes diabetes.
Truth: Type 1 diabetes develops when cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed. This happens when something goes wrong with the body's immune system and has nothing to do with how much sugar you consume. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is characterized by resistance to the action of insulin and is caused by excess fat stores. With either type of diabetes (or with gestational diabetes), however, moderating sugar intake helps the body regulate blood sugar levels and avoid medical complications. Myth: Sugar causes heart disease.
Truth: Only sugar from unhealthy sources like sugar-sweetened beverages and junk foods have been linked to obesity and inflammation, which increase the risk of heart disease. Those that come from fruits (especially when consumed as whole fruits) and other low glycemic index (GI) foods are an important part of a healthy diet. Myth: Saturated fats are not bad for you.
Truth: The science is in. Research studies by the American Heart Association showed that replacing saturated fats from animal products with polyunsaturated fats from vegetable oils decreased the risk of heart disease by 29%. Myth: Anything that comes from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is bad for you.
Truth: While there may be potential risks to consuming genetically modified (GM) crops because they have foreign DNA and proteins, some food ingredients like sugars and oils don't contain this foreign matter. These ingredients are biologically indistinguishable from the non-GMO version. There might still be environmental issues, but it is not a human safety concern Dr. Bruce Daggy says: "Often a statement with a grain of truth gets taken to the extreme. 'Too much added sugar is bad for you' becomes 'Avoid all carbs'. A plant-based diet rich in whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and limited in processed foods high in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, is a good starting point. I also favor organic foods, as they are less likely to have high or even detectible levels of pesticides, and the growing practices are more likely to be sustainable. If you are in a position to grow some of your own food, that can be satisfying, educational for the whole family, and very tasty!" You have probably encountered and will continue to encounter numerous other sweeping statements and ludicrous claims about what we eat and drink. Just make sure to find and read the studies behind them first to determine whether or not they are reliable. Over time, you may come to recognize which sources you can trust. Thanks for reading, Sources:
Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol?
The Truth About Carbs
Myth: Sugar Causes Diabetes
Slaying The Food Myths Article from Your Wellness Project 2019