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Privacy NoticeFor generations, wine drinkers have held on to the theory that a daily glass of red is good for the heart. But a recent study, published in The Journal Of The American Medical Association, concluded that the drink is not associated with any health benefits. That left people questioning just how many of those long-established food and drink adages are actually true. Some food myths are just plain silly. No, eating the crusts of your bread won’t make your hair curly. And carrots, although packed with vitamin A and great for eye health, won’t give you superhero night vision. But others still leave people confused. Should you really starve a fever? Can cranberry juice actually cure UTIs?
There are a lot of myths that surround food and drink – are any of them true?
(Image: GETTY)
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Nigel Denby, a registered dietician and the founder of Harley Street at Home, explains, “Nutrition is still a relatively new form of science. When I started training, we were taught things that science has since disproven, so we’re learning new things all the time. Everyone thinks they’re an expert, but ultimately, eating well and moving regularly is the key to any good lifestyle.” But what about the cranberry juice and the fever? “There certainly does seem to be a link with cranberry juice in helping to limit the number of UTIs, but if you struggle with lots of UTIs it’s really more about your immune system not working as well as it ought to,” says Nigel. “So consuming sugary cranberry juice isn’t ideal. Instead, you should look to a decent probiotic supplement, like Symprove, and keep well hydrated. “Meanwhile, you don’t need to starve to cure a fever. Keep your body nourished and you’ll beat it much faster.” Here, Nigel debunks some more popular food myths…
Nigel Denby is a registered dietician and the founder of Harley Street at Home
(Image: Elliot Jacobs)
Myth: Eating fat makes you fatter Truth: Obviously, don’t devour a tub of lard, but stick to foods that contain “good” fats, like avocados and nuts, for a healthy diet. “All fat contains calories, of course, but certain fats in our diet are absolutely essential for producing hormones for our nerve endings and providing essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins and minerals,” says Nigel. “Choose more plant-based fats and oily fish over animal-based fats and things like butter and full-fat dairy. Myth: Fresh fruit is more nutritious than frozen Truth: “By the time your fresh fruit lands in your bowl, it has lost a lot of its goodness,” explains Nigel. “The nutrients that you find in fruit are light, heat and oxygen sensitive, so if you are buying fresh fruit that has been transported around the world and then sits in a warehouse, followed by a supermarket, the antioxidant content is going to be lower than frozen fruit, which is packaged and prepared and frozen quickly. Frozen fruit is a great nutritious and economic option.”
“Frozen fruit is a great nutritious and economic option,” says Nigel
(Image: GETTY)
Myth: Carbs are bad for you Truth: While crisps and white bread are not healthy options, it’s a mistake to tar all carbs with the same brush. “The right carbs are totally essential to fuel the body to do ordinary movement, exercise and all of its normal functions,” says Nigel. “Nobody should be restricting carbohydrates. Instead, choose whole grains and low glycaemic options such as grain breads, baby new potatoes, oats and basmati rice, which will help to avoid the peaks in blood sugars.” Myth: Eggs should be avoided owing to their cholesterol levels Truth: While eggs do contain cholesterol, Nigel explains that eating them in moderation has no impact on the levels in your blood. “That, instead, is linked with either an overproduction of cholesterol in your liver, or by consuming large amounts of saturated fat,” he says. “People with raised cholesterol don’t need to avoid eggs. They contain all of the essential amino acids, they’re a fantastic source of iron and are packed with vitamin B. They’re a complete protein and a terrific food.”
Eggs are “a complete protein and a terrific food,” explains Nigel
(Image: GETTY)
Myth: Celery contains negative calories Truth: The tale of how chewing on celery burns more calories than the celery actually contains isn’t quite correct. “Yes, celery is incredibly low in calories. It’s high in fibre and it takes a fair bit of chewing,” says Nigel. “But the idea that chewing it is going to be burning calories in the same way that a HIIT class in a gym would is an old wives’ tale. Celery is still a great food to include in a balanced diet, though.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnHealth
