Evidence Checks & Science Communication
Looking at what the research actually says, and what gets lost in translation.
“It’s not just what you add to your plate, but what you replace.”
When we increase one food, we often displace another. The health effects may therefore reflect not only the food being added, but also the food being replaced.
A Red Herring? Fish, Wine and the Brain-Healthy Diet Scores
The questionnaires reward fish and wine, but the trials suggest the brain benefit of these diets lies elsewhere.
Oil's Well That Ends Well
A tablespoon of EVOO a day promises less inflammation and oxidative stress, but the trials tested something more specific than that.
Chewing the Fat: Are All Dietary Fats Created Equal?
After decades of fearing fat we are told to eat more of it, but the evidence separates the types of fat rather than treating them alike.
Pill of Goods: Supplement Hope and Hype
Some supplements have solid evidence behind them. Most, sold as a general upgrade rather than a fix for a real deficiency, do not.
Much Ado About Anti-Nutrients: Are Plants Friend or Foe?
Lectins, oxalates, phytates, and goitrogens have a fearsome reputation, but the evidence tells a different story about how harmful they really are.
Waist Not, Want Not: Which Measure Matters?
BMI has been the default for decades, but waist-to-height ratio may tell a more useful story, especially in the overweight range.
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary: Do We Need Milk After Weaning?
Adults do not need dairy to meet their nutritional needs. The evidence on bone health is more mixed than the messaging suggests.
Something's Fishy About the Mediterranean Diet
The original evidence pointed more towards plants and olive oil than fish and chicken when it comes to living longer.