#science

I'm behind! We just wrapped up our first book club reading Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System by Raj Patel. Instead of writing individual posts I opted to write one final summary of my take on our discussions guided by the author's main points. After finishing the book we were left with one overarching thought: There is more to the food system than meets the eye. And it's not all about feeding people.

Gluten-free diets are all the rage. I mean, if your yogurt label says "gluten-free" then gluten must be bad right? But wait, what about those recent headlines claiming there's arsenic in gluten-free foods? Is it safe to eat literally anything? If you feel this way trying to navigate nutrition advice, you're not alone.

"Having kids in your 30s has an amazing effect on your DNA..." 

"Want to live longer? Give birth in your 30s"

Just in time for holiday gatherings, news outlets reported that drinking a beer a day could prevent heart disease and stroke: Time – "The Truth About What Alcohol Does to Your Heart" (Nov 13, 2016) Huffington Post UK – "Drinking One Beer A Day Can Prevent Stroke And Heart Disease, Study Suggests" (Nov 14, 2016) Daily Mail –&n

Media outlets recently reported that mixing caffeine and alcohol has the "same effect" as cocaine. These articles, which refer to a study from Purdue University, have headlines that make you think twice about downing that vodka Red Bull. However, before treating UPROXX like the new WebMD, we should step back and unpack the central claim being asserted.

The Woman's lifestyle magazine M2Woman recently ran the headline "Science reveals that this commonly used kitchen staple is carcinogenic" The accused kitchen staple is vegetable oil: canola, sunflower, and olive specifically. M2Woman claims these common cooking emollients are "proven to be carcinogenic".