Buzz
Food consumption is a vital aspect of human existence, and consuming safe, non-toxic substances is key to maintaining long-term health. Throughout history, humans have prioritized proper food handling and preservation, even before modern hygiene practices were fully understood. Cooking and preserving food have always been essential skills.
With the rise of the modern food industry and the global demand for safe food distribution, numerous new ingredients have been introduced to ensure food safety. However, as people have become less connected to the origins of their meals, concerns about food quality have grown. This disconnect has made it easier for individuals to fall prey to unfounded food scares.
10. The Risks Associated With High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Many individuals argue that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is the most harmful element in the food industry. Some even assert that HFCS is a major contributor to the increasing rates of diabetes and obesity in the nation. They also believe that HFCS impacts the body differently than ordinary sugar and is significantly damaging public health.
Despite numerous studies, there is no conclusive evidence that HFCS is more harmful than regular sugar or that it affects the body in a unique way. A recent study aimed at linking HFCS to the obesity epidemic also found no connection.
Although scientific research does not support the claim that HFCS is more dangerous than regular sugar, some experts argue that it may still contribute to declining public health. Decades ago, when sugar prices rose, HFCS became a cost-effective alternative to satisfy the nation's craving for sweetness. Critics suggest that its affordability led to a surge in sugar content across various products, potentially fueling the obesity crisis.
Regardless of the validity of this theory, health professionals advise those looking to reduce sugar intake to focus on overall sugar consumption rather than solely eliminating HFCS. All forms of sugar should be consumed in moderation to maintain health.
9. Subway Is Adding Yoga Mat Chemicals To Their Sandwiches
A while back, social media exploded with claims that Subway’s bread included a chemical typically found in yoga mats. This misinformation spread rapidly, leading Subway and other food manufacturers to eliminate azodicarbonamide from their products to appease outraged online activists. The uproar was initiated by blogger Vani Hari, also known as Food Babe, who has built a career by labeling any ingredient she can’t pronounce as harmful. She mobilizes her followers through petitions and blacklists, all while selling products on her website—some of which contain the very ingredients she criticizes. Hari dismisses her detractors as puppets of the food industry.
In reality, azodicarbonamide is a safe food additive used in minimal amounts in numerous baked goods still available today. The FDA has approved its use in small quantities (45 ppm). While Hari argued that it could cause respiratory issues, such cases were only reported among factory workers exposed to its dust daily. Prolonged inhalation of almost any substance can harm respiratory health.
Industry experts note that many substances used in industrial processes also find their way into food production. For instance, an ingredient used in tofu production is also utilized in drywall manufacturing. While this might sound alarming, the final tofu product has as much in common with drywall as Subway bread does with yoga mats.
8. The Gluten-Free Diet Trend That Took Over
Celiac disease, though increasingly recognized, often remains undiagnosed for years. Those diagnosed with this rare condition must eliminate gluten entirely to avoid symptoms. However, due to the widespread influence of social media, many individuals without celiac disease have begun to believe gluten is harmful to them. This has led to a surge in people claiming to have “non-celiac gluten sensitivity” and avoiding gluten unnecessarily.
As a result, many restaurants have expanded their gluten-free offerings, which benefits those with celiac disease but can frustrate staff dealing with customers following the latest trend. Research into non-celiac gluten sensitivity has found no evidence that gluten negatively affects those without the disease.
Studies suggest that another ingredient in gluten-containing foods, known as fermentable, poorly absorbed, short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs), may be the actual cause of discomfort. When FODMAPs were removed, there was no difference in health outcomes between gluten and gluten-free diets. To date, no evidence supports the idea that gluten is harmful to those without celiac disease.
7. Excessive Soy Consumption May Elevate Estrogen Levels in Men
Soy is a staple for vegans and those seeking protein alternatives to dairy and meat. It has also gained popularity in certain circles, often being labeled as a “feminine” food. A persistent rumor suggests that soy can significantly increase estrogen and reduce testosterone levels in men. Online forums are filled with bodybuilders expressing concerns about soy’s potential effects on their masculinity, with some believing it could cause drastic hormonal changes. This has led many men to avoid soy altogether to protect their testosterone levels.
Despite these widespread claims, there is no scientific evidence to support them. Numerous studies have found no significant impact of soy on male hormone levels. The only exception is an unusual case involving an elderly man with multiple health problems who consumed three quarts of soy daily. Such extreme consumption is far beyond what most people would ever consume, and excessive intake of any single food is generally unhealthy. Research confirms that moderate soy consumption poses no risk to male hormone balance.
6. The Rising Trend of Lactose Intolerance
It’s important to clarify that some individuals are genuinely lactose intolerant to a significant degree—even small amounts of milk can cause severe digestive discomfort. Additionally, milk allergies are a separate issue entirely. However, in recent years, lactose intolerance has become a trendy explanation for digestive issues, much to the frustration of doctors. Many believe people are overestimating the role of lactose intolerance in their indigestion while overlooking other potential causes, simply because it’s a popular scapegoat.
To test this theory, researchers provided study participants with a glass of milk daily for a week. The milk contained lactase to ensure proper digestion, preventing discomfort even for those with genuine intolerance. In the second week, the lactase was removed without informing the participants, and the milk’s taste was adjusted to remain consistent. Participants reported similar levels of indigestion for both types of milk, supporting the idea that lactose intolerance is often psychological for many people.
Doctors are concerned that avoiding dairy may lead to nutritional deficiencies. They emphasize that even those with significant lactose intolerance can typically consume moderate amounts of dairy with meals without issues. They also stress that lactose intolerance is not a disease or life-threatening condition—it’s simply a digestive inconvenience.
5. The Atkins Diet And The Importance of Carbohydrates
Years ago, the Atkins diet surged in popularity, disrupting countless eating habits. The diet advocated reducing carbohydrate intake while emphasizing fats and proteins. The theory was that without carbs, the body would burn fat for energy, leading to weight loss. However, like many diets, it risked yo-yo effects if not maintained long-term, and the low-carb trend carried significant health risks.
Carbohydrates are essential for the body, serving as its primary energy source. While replacing processed carbs with natural ones is beneficial, eliminating them entirely is unwise. Without sufficient carbs, the body may burn protein and muscle mass instead, impairing workouts and potentially causing muscle loss.
Additionally, low-carb diets have been linked to memory issues, as carbs are crucial for optimal brain function. Studies also found that individuals on low-carb diets were more irritable, likely due to reduced production of mood-enhancing chemicals. While processed carbs aren’t ideal, completely avoiding carbohydrates is worse. A balanced approach, focusing on natural sources like fresh vegetables, is the healthiest option.
4. Frightening, Hard-to-Pronounce Chemicals in Our Food
Many individuals today glance at food labels, spot complex chemical names they can barely pronounce, and feel a twinge of concern. Some shrug it off and purchase the product anyway, while others turn to the internet to research the ingredient. Unfortunately, a growing trend involves people relying on random bloggers for advice when they don’t understand an ingredient. This has led to unnecessary avoidance of certain foods or chemicals based on misinformation.
The Food Babe blogger we mentioned earlier has a peculiar rule for her followers: If a child can’t pronounce an ingredient, it shouldn’t be consumed. This logic is absurd, as many harmful substances, like arsenic, are easy to pronounce, while safer ingredients, such as azodicarbonamide, are harder to say. What’s truly alarming is how many people choose to remain uninformed about what’s actually in their food.
3. Doritos And Other Chips Are Alarming Because They Can Double As Kindling
Doritos are a favorite snack among teenagers and late-night snackers. While they’re undeniably popular, they’re also widely recognized as unhealthy, firmly categorized as junk food. However, some claims about Doritos take their unhealthiness to another level. On YouTube, videos demonstrate how Doritos can be set on fire, burning slowly like kindling. For many, this dramatic display serves as proof of just how unhealthy these chips are.
While these fire demonstrations highlight how Doritos could serve as effective kindling in the wilderness, they don’t indicate that the chips are exceptionally harmful. As Lifehacker points out, Doritos and similar snacks like Fritos and Cheetos are essentially hydrocarbons saturated with fat and dried. This composition makes them excellent for starting fires, but it doesn’t imply any unusual danger in consuming them.
2. The Hidden Threat of Wood Pulp in Our Food
Recently, the media sparked a frenzy over cellulose in food, often misleadingly calling it “wood pulp.” While technically accurate, this term paints a misleading picture of what’s actually being consumed. Some sensational reports even hinted that cellulose might contribute to obesity, yet they failed to cite any real dangers beyond its lack of nutritional value.
The truth is, cellulose poses no harm. Despite being labeled as “wood pulp” by alarmists, it’s a natural component of plant cell walls and is essentially pure fiber. It passes through the body without providing calories or nutrients but is entirely safe. In fact, cellulose is naturally present in all fruits and vegetables.
Some also view cellulose as a deceptive filler, designed to make portions appear larger than they are. However, this isn’t accurate either. Food labels clearly state calorie counts, and since cellulose adds no calories, it can’t mislead consumers about nutritional value. In food production, cellulose is primarily used to thicken and improve the texture of products.
1. The Terrifying Acidic Properties of Coca-Cola
For years, exaggerated claims about Coca-Cola’s dissolving abilities have circulated online. Stories suggest it can dissolve nails, T-bone steaks, clean car engines, and even harm your stomach due to its acidity. Some even claim Coca-Cola truck drivers need special permits for transporting corrosive materials. While it would be impressive for a household product to have such capabilities, these claims are false. Moreover, if they were true, they would apply to all sodas, as they all contain carbonic acid and often citric acid as well.
Carbonic acid is relatively mild, and while citric acid is stronger, a standard glass of orange juice contains more citric acid than a can of Coke. If the exaggerated claims about Coca-Cola’s acidity were accurate, they would equally apply to orange juice. As Snopes confirms, the acids in your stomach are significantly stronger than those in Coca-Cola, so there’s no risk of it dissolving your internal organs. That said, soda isn’t healthy, but consuming it in moderation won’t harm you.
