The Most Common (and Dangerous) Nutrition Myths
While there’s definitely no shortage of misconceptions out there regarding sound nutrition, the real truth is slowly starting to emerge and gain the attention of a larger audience.
Among all the readily available misinformation, here are the 10 biggest lies, and often dangerous myths regarding mainstream nutrition.
1. Saturated Fat is Bad
Around twenty years ago, it was determined that consuming too much fat, especially saturated fat, generated the initial epidemic of heart disease. Recent studies illustrate that saturated fat in fact does not cause heart disease.
2. Everyone Should Eat Grains
The most common and dangerous myth by far is that everyone should eat wheat. Wheat can cause a plethora of ongoing health issues. Today’s wheat consists of large amounts of a synthetic protein called gluten; and there is overwhelming evidence that a large percentage of the population is either sensitive to it or intolerant of it. Make sure you are consuming gluten-free foods, as well as gluten-free vitamins and supplements.
3. Eggs are Unhealthy
Eggs, which incidentally have a considerable amount of cholesterol, are thought to increase the risk of heart disease. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth since they are shown to be one of the most nutritious foods.
4. Low-Fat Foods are Good
Mainstream food manufacturers add many other unhealthy substances to low-fat foods in order to compensate for the lack of fat and taste. Typically, they’re harmful sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup and aspartame.
5. Carbs Should Be Your Prime Source of Calories
This may work for some people, but for anyone who struggles with obesity, diabetes, thyroid problems, or has metabolic syndrome, too many carbohydrates may be dangerous.
6. Sugar: Healthy or Unhealthy?
Sugar, primarily due to its high-fructose content, impacts the metabolism in such a way that it sets people up for metabolic disease and rapid fat gain. Sugar is likely the most dangerous ingredient in the Western diet today.
7. Too Much Protein is Bad for Kidneys and Bones
Eating a high protein-rich diet is directly associated with enhanced bone health in addition to lowering the risk of bone fracture. Ample amounts of protein is said to possibly improve diabetes symptoms and may help lower blood pressure as well.
8. Vegetable and Omega-6 Seed Oils are Good For You
Omega-3’s are a known anti-inflammatory and help decrease your risk of several diseases associated with inflammation in the body. Humans require both omega-3’s and omega-6’s in a certain ratio, but too much omega-6 by itself isn’t a good idea since your body requires a balanced ratio of nutrition.
9. Eat Small Meals Throughout the Day
While it’s somewhat true that eating slightly raises your overall metabolism while the meal is digesting, it’s actually the total amount of food you eat that determines how much energy you utilize, not how many meals you eat.
10. A Low-Carb Diet is Dangerous
Low-carb diets are likely the easiest, healthiest, and most effective way for virtually anyone to shed pounds and also reverse metabolic disease.
As researchers continue to study modern-day nutrition, more and better information will keep emerging. Until then, remember that everybody metabolizes food differently; what’s good for you may not be good for your neighbor.
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