With statistics for lifestyle related diseases skyrocketing in recent years, plenty of studies have been undertaken by health experts and researchers to prove and disprove common beliefs about food and the benefits that they offer to a person's health.
Here are some of the most common food myths that, according to food experts, are not so clear cut. Some of them would even surprise you.
- Cutting fats from food makes it healthier. Fats are not absolutely bad for your diet, according to a study published by the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research as healthy fats from fruits like avocado and nuts actually help the body absorb nutrients and vitamins. They also make people feel fuller after a meal which actually keeps you from grabbing seconds.
- Milk is the best way to strengthen the bones. While milk is a good source of calcium, milk alone does not make strong bones make since the body also needs Vitamin K to maintain bone health. Vitamin K works in tandem with calcium in ensuring this function. Having green foods that are rich in Vitamin K such as kale can help minimize bone loss.
- Fruit juice is equivalent to whole fruits. Fruit juices do count as fruit intake, but commercial juices process out the nutrients and fiber, and you're losing out on the pulp and the peel of fruits like oranges that have been linked to reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, according to Bodybuilding.com. Homemade fruit and vegetable juices are a better alternative since the sugar content from the fruit sugar is offset by the vegetable content.
- Carbs are responsible for weight gain. While most people steer clear from carbohydrates thinking that they are synonymous to weight gain, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia found no significant link to high carb diets and gaining weight. "People who consume high-carb diets tend to be slimmer, and often healthier, than people who consume low-carb diets. Eating sandwiches with white bread, or an occasional doughnut, isn't going to kill you, or necessarily even lead to obesity," University of Virginia professor Glenn Gaesser, said.
- Eating late at night causes weight gain. Ilyse Schapiro, R.D., author of "Should I Scoop Out My Bagel?" said that eating at night should not be blamed for weight gain and may even help stabilize blood sugar levels. He added that keeping away from it may actually cause feelings of deprivation in some cases. This is supported by a study by the West Virginia University that ruled that late night snacks are not what causes the boost but rather the total number of calories consumed during the day.
