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.
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.
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The latest
Can sodas help your gut health?
A snapshot of the latest research on diet, exercise, and more
April Fools! Watch out for these food label tricks
5 food & supplement ideas to doubt
Don't be duped by these food ads
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.
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?
Supplement facts vs. fiction
Tricks of the trade: Are supplement companies playing you for a fool?
Are you wasting your money on this memory supplement?
Can supplements help prevent or fight off a cold or the flu?
Does your liver need a cleanse?
Can adaptogens help you adapt to stress?
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 Or maybe the study is unpublished, inconsistent with better research, or industry funded.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.
PROCESSED FOOD WATCH
Food ads & labels: Fact or fiction?
Why do some processed foods get all the attention instead of whole fruits, vegetables, and other healthy staples? Marketing.
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Got a gimmick?
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Fool us once? Not these ads
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A sampling of tricky food & supplement pitches
True or false
The pitfalls of online health advice
The landscape of online health advice knows no bounds. But just because you found an answer to your health question from a quick Google search, doesn't mean you found the right one.
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Don't believe everything you read online
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Can you trust online health advice?