Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [nutrition]

Use this tag for claims regarding the way we eat, and the effects eating has on our bodies.

Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary (in the form of food) to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthful diet.

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Should we drink water before we feel thirsty?

The claim is that we should be drinking water routinely to the point that we never feel thirsty, and that to not be doing so is to our detriment, at least enough for the notion to be popular amongst hikers, gym teachers, athletes and the like. While…
Christopher Galpin
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Is slime mold eaten in Mexico as a dish called "feces of the moon"?

Various web sites make the claim that slime mold is eaten as a dish called "caca de luna" -- feces of the moon -- in Mexico. Sometimes the claim is attached to Fuligo septica, "dog vomit slime mold", as in this representative example: Fuligo…
jwezorek
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Organic food is worse for the environment because it requires more land than non-organic food

I've heard that organic crops and husbandry are worse for the environment than non-organic equivalents because in the absence of pesticides and fertilizers much more land is required for an organic yield equivalent to what would be achieved with…
Brian M. Hunt
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Are humans incapable of digesting gluten?

Recently this I09 article about wheat made the rounds and there was a part in it that stood out to me: According to Alessio Fasano, the Medical Director for The University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research, no one can properly digest …
Melissa
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Do McDonald's burgers have an unnaturally long lifespan?

The National Post article Zombie cheeseburger? McDonald’s patty, bun, cheese unchanged after one year sitting on kitchen counter features a cheeseburger that hasn't changed one year after being left on a table. Professional nutritionist Melanie…
Andrew Grimm
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Did a vegan dog live for 29 years?

According to PETA's "Meatless Meals for Dogs and Cats", One remarkable example is that of Bramble, a border collie whose vegan diet of rice, lentils, and organic vegetables contributed to a nearly record-breaking lifespan of 29 years. Did this…
Evan Carroll
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Does an "apple a day keep the doctor away"?

Is there anything special about apples that gives them particular health benefits to justify this statement we all know from childhood? Specifically: Is eating an apple more healthy than any standard fruit serving? Are there long-term…
Nicole
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Can anything be 'more hydrating than water'?

Some sports drinks, and even vegetables claim to be 'more hydrating than water'. What does this even mean? How is 'hydration' even measured? If I ate enough cucumbers could I survive without ever drinking anything at all?
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Does the Idaho Potato Commission associate potato skins with healthy eating?

A person is suing TGI Friday's for false advertising regarding their bagged "Potato Skins" snacks. Part of the claim is that potato skins are associated with healthy eating, which makes the snack stand out among other bagged, crisp snacks. The…
user11643
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Can people tell the difference between sea salt and table salt in food?

Sea salt has been getting much more popular lately due to a perception that it tastes better than regular salt. Since it has negligible amounts of iodine, and tends to replace iodized salt in our diet, I understand that some…
StriplingWarrior
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Is wheat the cause of numerous, serious health problems?

This morning, I stumbled across a realfarmacy article which poses the question [Note: the linked page breaks in Chrome but worked in Firefox]: Why is there such a strong emphasis on the development of wheat products all over the world when there…
zashu
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Are saturated fats unhealthy?

I've been taught since I was a kid that eating fat is bad for my health. Later on, I found out that unsaturated fats (especially ones containing Omega-3 and Omega-6) are actually good for your health. Now I've heard that there's dispute among…
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Is a glass of red wine a day beneficial for the heart?

It has been stated that drinking a glass of red wine per day is good for the heart. There has been a lot of discussion surrounding this issue; two examples are this article from the Guardian and this CNN article. I am wondering whether there is a…
Lover of Structure
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Is drinking tea after a meal unhealthy?

There is a popular belief that drinking tea shortly after meal can cause health problems and is also dangerous to anemic people. Drinking tea just after a meal restricts the body's absorption of iron (Fe) consumed with the meal. [...] Tea or coffee…
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Does drinking milk lead to osteoporosis?

The China Study authors state that: osteoporosis is linked to the consumption of animal protein because animal protein, unlike plant protein, increases the acidity of blood and tissues. They add that to neutralize this acid, calcium (a very…
mfg
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