Truth Or Trend?: Test Your Knowledge On Popular Health Food Myths

1. It is always healthier and more nutritious to eat a food raw rather than cooked.

True

False

It's not what you eat that matters - it's the nutrients that you absorb. Food that is raw may contain some nutrients that would otherwise be broken down when cooked. However, cooking food actually enhances some other nutrients. In fact, studies show that raw foods lack many nutrients that cooked foods have. It is important to find a balance when consuming raw and cooked foods.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/raw-food-nutrient-absorption-3/

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/raw-food-diet-myths/#

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16177198

Explanation

It's not what you eat that matters - it's the nutrients that you absorb. Food that is raw may contain some nutrients that would otherwise be broken down when cooked. However, cooking food actually enhances some other nutrients. In fact, studies show that raw foods lack many nutrients that cooked foods have. It is important to find a balance when consuming raw and cooked foods.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/raw-food-nutrient-absorption-3/

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/raw-food-diet-myths/#

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16177198

2. You do not need to eat meat to be healthy - although meat has certain nutrients that we need, they can also be attained by eating other things.

True

False

It is not necessary to eat meat. Many vegetarians live healthy lifestyles without ever having to eat meat. The proteins and nutrients found in meat can be found in other non-meat items as well. In fact, eating one serving of red meat might a day may actually increase your risk of dying from cancer or heart disease by 13 percent.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/much-meat-need-day-nutritionally-3643.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24871675

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16201743

Explanation

It is not necessary to eat meat. Many vegetarians live healthy lifestyles without ever having to eat meat. The proteins and nutrients found in meat can be found in other non-meat items as well. In fact, eating one serving of red meat might a day may actually increase your risk of dying from cancer or heart disease by 13 percent.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/much-meat-need-day-nutritionally-3643.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24871675

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16201743

3. Multivitamins are a good way to make sure you get all the daily nutrients that you need.

True

False

Multivitamins can actually do more harm than benefit for your health! Many people take multivitamins as a way to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients that they need. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet should already give you the necessary vitamins, and taking additional supplements is just overkill. If you are not getting the necessary nutrients from your current diet, it would be much better to change your eating habits rather than taking supplements.

http://greatist.com/grow/why-you-dont-need-a-multivitamin

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309636/

Explanation

Multivitamins can actually do more harm than benefit for your health! Many people take multivitamins as a way to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients that they need. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet should already give you the necessary vitamins, and taking additional supplements is just overkill. If you are not getting the necessary nutrients from your current diet, it would be much better to change your eating habits rather than taking supplements.

http://greatist.com/grow/why-you-dont-need-a-multivitamin

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309636/

4. As a human species, we have not eaten gluten enough to adapt to it, and should therefore avoid it to benefit our health.

True

False

Gluten is only bad for people who have celiac disease, which is only 1% of the American population. Human adaptation to new foods can actually occur very quickly, and most humans are able to eat gluten with no health implications. In fact, studies show that avoiding gluten has little to nothing to do with improving health or even losing weight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/opinion/sunday/the-myth-of-big-bad-gluten.html

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/48044/20160922/gluten-free-diet-health-benefits-probably-myths-study-suggests-real.htm

Explanation

Gluten is only bad for people who have celiac disease, which is only 1% of the American population. Human adaptation to new foods can actually occur very quickly, and most humans are able to eat gluten with no health implications. In fact, studies show that avoiding gluten has little to nothing to do with improving health or even losing weight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/opinion/sunday/the-myth-of-big-bad-gluten.html

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/48044/20160922/gluten-free-diet-health-benefits-probably-myths-study-suggests-real.htm

5. Coconut oil is extremely beneficial to health: it can help lower cholesterol, aid in blood glucose regulation, encourage weight loss, and even whiten teeth!

True

False

Although coconut oil can be used for many things, such as refurbishing wooden furniture, its health benefits are not supported scientifically. In fact, it can actually be harmful to health, because it is high in saturated fat. Studies found that replacing coconut oil with an oil lower in saturated fats and higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil and canola oil, would reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Putting any miracle food at the top of your diet has no scientifically proven effects. Make sure to do your research before falling for any marketing schemes promoting magical products!

http://www.inquisitr.com/2372278/benefits-of-coconut-oil-myth-or-magic/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26946252

Explanation

Although coconut oil can be used for many things, such as refurbishing wooden furniture, its health benefits are not supported scientifically. In fact, it can actually be harmful to health, because it is high in saturated fat. Studies found that replacing coconut oil with an oil lower in saturated fats and higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil and canola oil, would reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Putting any miracle food at the top of your diet has no scientifically proven effects. Make sure to do your research before falling for any marketing schemes promoting magical products!

http://www.inquisitr.com/2372278/benefits-of-coconut-oil-myth-or-magic/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26946252