“10 ways to boost your metabolism.” “9 foods that lift your mood.” ”15 supplements to boost your immune system.” People love lists. So do websites eager to grab eyeballs. Only one problem: Much of the advice isn’t based on solid science. Here are some examples.
Everyone eats. So news outlets know that the latest food study is likely to grab eyeballs. But sometimes the media doesn’t get it quite right. Sometimes they neglect to mention that the headline shocker comes from a study in test tubes or from a study that can’t prove cause and effect. Sometimes the study itself is at fault. Often, the media simply repeats a press release’s mistakes. Here are a few “Oops!” stories that confused many.
Another day, another news flash. Never mind that the details may come straight from a press release designed to grab eyeballs. Are the results preliminary? Unpublished? Inconsistent with better research? Industry funded? Odds are, you’d never know it.