CHOLESTEROL DIET SECRETS

Myths about Nutritionally-Fortified Food

With on-going public health education, Americans have become more aware and selective of their food. As a result, food manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon to fortify their products with assorted nutrients. The health consciousness of the American public has become a profitable marketing angle for the food industry.

It is not difficult to find evidence of such. There is the calcium-enriched chocolate cookies, vitamin cola drinks, weight loss vitamin water, margarines that lower cholesterol, vision-boosting cereals, brain-enhancing milk powder, and the list goes on.

Health food claims are just what they are – they are merely claims – many of which are not backed up by clinical studies. Food claims are not as tightly regulated as medications. Take the example of GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of the popular children drink “Ribena”. The company got into trouble in New Zealand for misleading claims about the vitamin C content of its blackcurrant syrup.

There is little evidence to back up the health claims of nutritionally-fortified food, let alone to conclude on the safety of long-term consumption of such foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one thing is certain – diet is one of the reasons responsible for heart disease, certain cancers, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, consumers should remain prudent and not buy into any and all types of food claims. With common sense, we should know that drinking too much cola is unhealthy no matter how much vitamins it contains, as it is bad simply because of the sugar and chemical contents.

Thus, your best bet would be to eat a balanced diet, containing lots of fresh and natural food, as well as exercise regularly. Stop spending extra dollars on the “cosmetics” in your food.

(Courtesy of Cholesterol Diet Secrets)