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.

683 questions
29
votes
2 answers

Is margarine "one molecule away from plastic"?

I've heard the claim that "Margarine is only one molecule away from being plastic" several times. Usually from friends who think they've heard it from some reliable source. I've also read a couple books that mention this concept, without really…
Flimzy
  • 15,520
  • 14
  • 63
  • 132
29
votes
2 answers

Does US governmental advocacy of drinking milk harm African-Americans?

According to a California State University article Milk new symbol of hate?: ... The federal endorsement of milk in American diets contributes to the problem by uncritically pushing people to drink milk, despite the potential detriment it has on…
DavePhD
  • 103,432
  • 24
  • 436
  • 464
29
votes
2 answers

Does chamomile help you to relax?

What is the best evidence available relative to chamomile having relaxing effects? Some examples claims include: It is known for its relaxing and soothing properties It is a mild relaxant and, as such, is often used as an herbal solution to help…
Stefano Borini
  • 1,836
  • 2
  • 18
  • 22
29
votes
1 answer

Does blood type affect what type of food is best for you?

I remember that, a few years ago, my parents were told that different blood types need to eat differently. From a quick look online, it seems to be called "Eat Right For Your Type." It claimed that, depending on what your blood type is, some food…
Borror0
  • 7,581
  • 6
  • 48
  • 67
29
votes
2 answers

Is margarine healthier for you than butter?

An article at MayoClinic by an R.D. says: Margarine usually tops butter when it comes to heart health. [...] So skip the stick and opt for soft or liquid margarine instead. The American Heart Association says: Recent studies on the potential…
user5582
29
votes
1 answer

Is sugar in fruit juice less likely to cause weight gain than refined sugar?

Refined sugar is regularly described as the root of all evil, while sugar in fruit juice slips under the net. I just noticed my 330ml juice has 33g of sugar in it. There are currently initiatives across the US to ban sugary treats and sodas,…
Moz
  • 539
  • 5
  • 6
28
votes
2 answers

Is it true that "carbohydrates are of no use for the basal metabolic need"?

In this video (at 5:09 mark) Zoe Harcombe says the following: The body needs those basal metabolic calories in the form of fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. And that's all it needs for those. Carbohydrates are of no use to the body whatsoever…
BMR Skeptic
  • 291
  • 3
  • 4
28
votes
3 answers

Has there been a dramatic rise in food allergies?

There's been a lot of reports in the media that there's been a large rise in the number of allergy-related health problems over the past decade. Some reports claim that there has been a 265% increase in the number of hospitalizations due to allergy…
Django Reinhardt
  • 2,205
  • 1
  • 25
  • 35
28
votes
1 answer

Is there a correlation between the quality of alcoholic beverages and the likeliness of a hangover?

There is this saying that if you drink alcoholic beverages of good quality (expensive or "well made" whiskey, vodka, wine etc.), you are less likely to get a hangover. Is there any correlation between the quality of the consumed alcoholic beverages…
bitbonk
  • 421
  • 3
  • 7
27
votes
2 answers

Are McDonald's fries coated in sugar before cooking?

I've heard that McDonalds and other fast food chains coat their fries in sugar water before frying to aid in color development, but the official McDonalds nutrition information (see page 2) indicates that their fries contain no sugar. Is there…
Adam Wuerl
  • 1,053
  • 2
  • 11
  • 19
27
votes
1 answer

Can defrosting vacuum-packed fish in its packaging cause botulism?

There are many warnings on the Internet about vacuum-sealed frozen fish thawed in its packaging potentially causing botulism: Why You Should Never Thaw Frozen Fish in Its Vacuum-Sealed Packaging There's a lot to love about individually wrapped…
lambshaanxy
  • 1,454
  • 1
  • 18
  • 28
27
votes
3 answers

Does Skippy chunky peanut butter contain trans fat?

According to their website, Skippy brand peanut butter does not contain trans fat. However, the current label for their chunky peanut butter contains the following ingredient in the listing: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed, Soybean and…
Chris Redford
  • 389
  • 1
  • 3
  • 8
27
votes
7 answers

Are there no naturally blue foods?

I've heard it claimed that there are no naturally blue foods and that blueberries don't count, because they are more purple. However, I have a hard time believing such a blanket statement so I want to ask this here. If you count foods that are blue…
TheEnigmaMachine
  • 2,775
  • 1
  • 23
  • 29
26
votes
3 answers

Does eating meat increase your risk for cancer?

I just read an article in the german magazine "Der Spiegel" about a recent study claiming that 40% of all cancers are preventable. The article states specifically that one of the factors is the consumption of red meat: Der Mangel an Früchten und…
Mad Scientist
  • 43,643
  • 20
  • 173
  • 192
26
votes
1 answer

Does a typical human on a western diet have undigested protein stuck in their body from years of eating certain foods?

Last night I watched the movie Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. The movie followed two unhealthy people who suffered from a chronic disease on their juice fasts and subsequent lifestyle changes. Their health improved dramatically, their disease was…
Sam I Am
  • 8,775
  • 7
  • 48
  • 71
1 2 3
…
45 46