6XC·Jun 9, 2022How saturated fat was demonisedA brief history. Eat less saturated fat. This slogan, along with others like it, has been pressed on us by nutritional authorities over the past 50 years or so. At a population level we largely listened and modified our behaviour. Meanwhile, obesity and other ‘diseases of civilisation’ steadily increased. Objectively…Saturated Fat7 min readSaturated Fat7 min read
6XC·May 26, 2022Are our dietary slogans evidence-based?A case for nutritional bullshit — Dietary advice is often communicated through slogans, such as: eat less saturated fat; eat more polyunsaturated ‘vegetable’ oils (even though they’re not made from vegetables); eat less salt; eat more fibre; eat more grains and cereals; eat less cholesterol; eat less ‘red’ or processed meat; drink more water; eat more…Dietary Guidelines7 min readDietary Guidelines7 min read
6XC·Apr 18, 2022The trouble with vegetable oilsOther than not coming from vegetables Plant oils would be a better term. They come from seeds (grapeseed, sunflower seed), grains (maize, rice bran), fruits (avocado, olive), nuts (almond, walnut) or legumes (peanut, soy), none of which are usually classified as vegetables. A product labelled vegetable oil will be a…8 min read8 min read
6XC·Oct 19, 2021The nutrition fallacy of fruitThey only look nutritious — Fruits are glorious and compelling — colourful, aromatic, crunchy or juicy and, not only do they look ‘healthy’ they are promoted as such by all relevant authorities. So, you may be surprised to know that fruit is not particularly nutritious, and that there are no nutrients to be found in…Fruits8 min readFruits8 min read
6XC·Oct 19, 2021Do we need 8 glasses of water a day?Is there science to support this? — ‘Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day’ — it seems you will be healthier if you’re waterlogged. However, the science has never existed for this slogan, and still doesn’t. Furthermore, how much water a person may ‘need’ depends on age, gender, environment, physical activity, health and a host…8 Glasses A Day6 min read8 Glasses A Day6 min read
6XC·Oct 19, 2021Dietary salt and healthIs lower better? — Health authorities urge us to reduce our salt intake and mostly we have accepted that we should. However, the science behind this recommendation has been shaky (sorry) from the start. Even the authorities are unsure how dangerous it is. In the US, the American Heart Association (AHA) sets the recommended…Salt5 min readSalt5 min read
6XC·Oct 19, 2021Fish oilOmega-3 and supplements — The multi-billion dollar supplement industry might have peaked (in the UK at least). It has been a formidably effective industry, selling the promise of better health to the worried healthy. One supplement is holding out though — fish oil. Coming from a natural source (presumably fish) and with a beneficial…Fish Oil7 min readFish Oil7 min read
