Why does nutrition information seem to be contradictory and perplexing? One time you’re told to eat this and the next time it’s bad for you? You’re told to omit fats to lose weight , then again you’re told its carbohydrates you should omit. There seems to never really be a definite solution to any particular nutrition problem. It doesn’t end there, you’re also told to detox to remove toxins from your body, only to later be informed it’s not necessary. And, each time, there is always something new about it.
But why does the nutrition field seem to be so confusing? This is why;
Nutrition is quite a new science. It is still expanding, and just like any science field, there is significant time and experimentation necessary to prove theories before they are actualized .The mastery of any science usually involves a lot of time. This also implies that nutrition information is constantly being updated and that’s why you frequently come across new nutrition information.
Vested interests from funding parties-Just like in any industry, the nutrition domain has quacks and those in it solely for financial reasons. Such will tend to promote claims that offer quick-fix solutions to attract great audiences from whom they can gather quick money from. Through this, misguiding nutrition information is perpetuated, making it difficult to distinguish actual nutrition information from unreliable nutrition content.
Most nutrition research relies on observational studies that can be filled with biases, confounding data and inconclusive findings since it cannot account for causal relationships.
Nutrition information is highly individualized. It depends on various factors such as one’s current nutrition status, medical history, gender, age etc. Consequently, there is not really one solution applicable for each one in each situation. What works for one person may not be beneficial to another, or at least not to a similar degree. And although, most of its principles are founded by what affects the majority of the healthy population, for example, the RDA (established from data collected from a sample of healthy subjects)- and still in that case, not everyone is included.
The appeal for quick solutions- Since most individuals prefer quick fixes i.e. magic foods, they’ll tend to be attracted by approaches and practices that promise quick solutions such as dieting, detoxing , the omission of certain nutrients and even the defining of foods as either good or bad. Most advertisements will promote nutrition information that sells the idea of quick solutions to also attract great numbers of prospective clients. This resultantly renders actual nutrition information less significant, and it becomes more confusing as to which information is accurate.
Reliance on longitudinal studies which can be difficult to sustain– Because what you eat does not necessarily impact your health immediately, it is difficult to engage in longitudinal studies, for instance to determine the long term effects of consuming a certain food item. This may require humans as study subjects , and since such studies take long periods of time even more than 2 decades, cases of attrition are likely to be high leading to inconclusive research findings. This further complicates the expansion of the nutrition field.
There appears to be so much conflicting nutrition information because it’s still a field that is growing,-much about it has not been uncovered, most are appealed by quick solutions making its fundamental concepts appear insignificant, some studies require research that is undertaken for very long periods and can be unsustainable, and it is highly individualized. However, you can still acquire relevant and reviewed information from credible sources .Refer to our previous post: Examples of Credible Sources Of Nutrition Information.