Science Communication, Group P

There is a kernel of truth behind most myths and superstitions and when it comes to food, there are many myths and believes. Anybody can publish anything on the Internet and you have to decide whom to believe and learn to evaluate any information you find. Let's try to find some scientific facts.

Choose one of the statements below and find out the scientific truth. Try to find web pages that confirm the statement and others that prove it wrong. Use the criteria below to decide which information to trust.

1. Vitamin C can keep you from catching a cold
   Carien
2. Chocolate causes acne
   Mmathabang
3. Children need to drink cow's milk
   Thokozile
4. It's easy to exercise off extra calories
5. To lose weight, you must avoid carbohydrates
   Tasmia
6. It's essential to drink 8 glasses of water a day
   Leané
7. Fish is full of good fat
   Jován
8. Exercise lowers cholesterol
9. Meat is the only "complete" protein
   Onthatile
10. Soya products cause cancer
    Serelle
11. Organic foods are more nutritious than conventional
    Thabang S
12. Olive oil is "good" fat
    Sharon
13. Cravings are your body's way of telling you what you need
    Thabang L
14. To get enough iron, you need plenty of red meat
    Wayde
15. A glass of wine every day promotes good health
    Ruan
16. Margarine is better than butter.
    Kgaogelo
17. The more protein you eat the better
    Ashraf
    
18. Added sugar is always bad for you
    Renske
19. Eating eggs raises your cholesterol levels
20. All saturated fats raise blood cholesterol
21. The only heart-friendly alcohol is red wine
    Nadia
22. Fried foods are always too fatty
    Khanyisile
23. The more fiber you eat, the better
24. Coffee causes cancer
    Jessica O
25. Feed a cold, starve a fever
26. You should always remove chicken skin before eating.
    Ayesha
27. Cooking olive oil destroys its health benefits
    Kaylan
    
28. You can't eat pasta if you are on a diet
29. Popcorn is just another junk food
30. Eggs will raise your cholesterol / Eggs are bad for your heart
31. High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is worse for you than sugar
32. Carbohydrates make you fat
    Jessica-Amori
33. A raw-food diet provides enzymes that are essential to healthy digestion
34. Your body can't use the protein from beans unless you eat them with rice
35. Calories eaten at night are more fattening than those eaten early in the day
    Kgomotso
36. I have a weight problem because I eat foods like wheat or dairy that my body can't process
37. Radiation from microwaves creates dangerous compounds in your food / Microwaving zaps nutrients
    Pretty
38. You crave certain foods because you're deficient in one of the nutrients they provide
    Marlise
39. Grazing on mini meals throughout the day keeps your metabolism stoked and helps you control your weight better than eating fewer, larger meals
40. It's important to fast periodically, to cleanse toxins from your body
41. A gluten-free diet is good for anybody: it gives you more energy and can treat autism
    Johannes
42. Brown eggs are more nutritious than white ones
    Rian
43. Fresh vegetables and fruit are more nutritious than frozen or canned products
    Gopika
44. Sea salt has less sodium than other salt / Pink Himalayan salt is better than normal salt
    Joëlle
45. Brown sugar is healthier than white sugar
    Walt
46. 100% fruit juice is best for you
    Morné
47. Certain foods, such as grapefruit, celery or cabbage soup can burn fat
48. The fewer carbs, the healthier you are
    Marion
49. Nuts are as bad as junk food
    Taylor
50. It's okay to have a sports drink after you exercise
    Charles
51. Dark bread is always better than white
    Fernando
52. If the label says "all natural," the product must be healthy
53. The MSG found in some Chinese dishes can trigger headaches and other reactions
54. Carbonated drinks are bad for you
    Boitshoko
55. Those with diabetes have to give up sweets
    Brent
56. Don't drink milk when you have a cold
57. Spicy food gives you an ulcer
    Kaylen
58. Fat-free and low-fat foods are always better than full-fat versions
59. You can eat as much healthy fat as you like
60. 95 Percent fat-free means only 5 percent of the calories come from fat