Diet wellness is so important that almost everyone knows at least something about it, but what if too many cooks are spoiling the broth, so to speak? Wellness expert Laurie L. Dove recalls, ‘Like most members of the Greatest Generation, my grandfather ate eggs and bacon for breakfast, slathered his toast with real butter and drank coffee with every meal. My grandmother made sure we never went away hungry. Both lived well into their 90s. Today, I can scarcely bite into bacon, crack an egg or put a knife to butter without feeling a pang of guilt.’ But what if we’re getting it all wrong with our approach to food? Here are three commonly believed diet myths that may be doing more harm than good to your wellbeing:
1. Dye No. 40 and ADHD: ‘Dye No. 40, also known as Allura red, is the most prevalent dye used in food manufacturing in the United States and is an ingredient in everything from nacho-flavoured chips and toaster pastries to fresh-cut meat and breakfast cereal,’ Dove details. ‘Many of these foods are particularly appealing to children, and some people have suspected that food dyes lead to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)…In September 2010, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analysed 35 years of scientific studies and affirmed that colour additives don’t cause ADHD, though they may increase hyperactivity in some children who already have it. In 2011, the FDA met to discuss the matter again and concluded there was still insufficient evidence of a link between food dyes and ADHD, though they did call for more research. Meanwhile, a British study gave children two drinks with a mix of dyes and then observed them for hyperactivity. Parents noticed an increase in this behaviour, but teachers and outside observers did not.’
2. Chocolate and PMS: ‘When premenstrual syndrome (PMS) strikes, women reach for chocolate,’ says Dove. ‘But they may think it’s just a little pick-me-up without any real scientific benefit. Even 10 or 15 years ago, women’s magazines advised that sweets would actually make premenstrual women’s moods worse. However, studies show chocolate really does ease PMS symptoms, such as anxiety, anger, mental fogginess or temporary sadness. Researchers even mapped out a timeline to illustrate chocolate’s effects. The texture and taste of chocolate get the ball rolling, but even as the immediacy of this pleasure fades, another positive effect takes hold: chocolate suppresses feelings of fatigue and irritation, sometimes for several hours. Chocolate also contains trace minerals, including magnesium, which can become depleted during menstruation.’
3. Drinking Eight Glasses of Water: Dove notes, ‘If you don’t drink eight glasses of water a day, you’ll struggle under the weight of dehydration, a malady that causes everything from mental confusion to joint pain to facial wrinkles, or so the conventional wisdom goes. The “eight glasses of water a day” adage is such widespread advice, it holds a spot between “eat your vegetables” and “you need eight hours of sleep a night.” But is chugging eight glasses of water a day really good advice? It all depends on your activity level and age, and the climate where you live. Truth is, “eight glasses of water a day” isn’t a hard-and-fast guideline for minimum hydration. Current research contends you only need half that amount, about 32 ounces (about one litre), to stay hydrated. What you really need to focus on is whether you are replacing the fluids you lose through sweating and urinating. For example, if you spend your lunch breaks running a 5K instead of sitting at your desk, you’ll need to drink more water throughout the day.’