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Fact vs. fiction

Which claims about food and health can you trust? Don’t count on celebrities, the latest headlines, industry-funded research studies, supplements, food labels, and ads. We separate the facts from fiction on health, food, weight loss, supplements, and more.

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Stirring up confusion

How celebrities shape our views about health

How do food fads and other evidence-free claims get their start? In some cases, celebrity influence helps stir up confusion. Celeb-endorsed, science-free bunk therapies run the gamut from fad diets and supplements to colonics, intravenous vitamin therapies, and homeopathy.

See through the fads

Health facts vs. fiction

Do antiperspirants cause cancer? Can supplements help with reflux? Could you have adrenal fatigue or leaky gut? We sift through the evidence (or lack of evidence) behind popular claims about health.

Fact vs. Fiction

Do antiperspirants cause cancer?

“You wouldn’t swallow a spoonful of toxic cosmetic ingredients,” wrote Time.com in 2016. “But in some ways, smearing them under your arms in the form of deodorant or antiperspirant may be worse.” Really?

Have you heard these common food claims?

Should you eat only low-glycemic carbs? Quit worrying about salt? Toss your cooking oil? Go back to full-fat dairy? Not so fast.

More on food and health

Examining the evidence on weight loss

If you’re trying to lose—or not gain—weight, you’re probably suffering from advice overload. Should you cut carbs or fat? Eat more protein? Drink more water? Eat more often? Eat less often?

In the headlines

Newsflash! It’s no secret that surprising headlines sell…especially the latest food study. But maybe the news story fails to mention that the finding comes from a study in test tubes or one that can’t prove cause and effect. Or maybe the study is unpublished, inconsistent with better research, or industry funded. Or maybe the story simply repeats a press release’s mistakes.

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