7 Foods Falsely Accused Of Being Bad For Us
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Over the years (or centuries rather), loads of ordinary food items have earned a bad rep. Some due to tradition and some due to the research work of scientists. While the latter’s disapproval carries more weight, even science can get it wrong sometimes, leading to constant confusion among the masses of what should be on their plate and what shouldn’t.
Let’s banish that confusion once and for all, shall we? Here are 7 foods that were falsely accused by scientists of being unhealthy! No wonder they retracted their statements later.
1. Salt
This essential item of almost all dishes ever prepared earned a bad name from scientists several decades ago. People were told that consuming high amounts of salt could lead to a rise in blood pressure as well as kidney and heart problems. But that didn’t last long.
According to a recent study, lowering your salt consumption does not in any way affect your chances of getting heart disease or hypertension (1). Rather, when you dramatically decrease your sodium consumption, your body produces enzymes and hormones, which raise your blood pressure.
2. Eggs
Why are eggs here, you ask? Well, eggs apparently can increase your cholesterol level, clog your arteries, and make you prone to diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes! Unless you consume them in moderation, scientists claim.
However, they were quick to retract this statement, admitting that there are two types of cholesterol – good and bad – and that eggs contain the good kind (2)! Moreover, eggs are also rich in proteins and certain kinds of antioxidants, which prevent age-related eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
3. Popcorn
Popcorn is junk food! It’s a fact. There’s nothing healthy about it.
Wrong!
Scientists discovered that popcorn is actually rich in a particular type of antioxidants known as polyphenols (more so than veggies and fruits), which help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease. Besides, its calorie content is way lower than whole grain foods (as long as it’s not flavored).
4. Whole Milk
Check around your house. You’ll find a carton of skimmed milk, not whole milk. It has less fat, which means you can control your fat consumption.
However, the kind of fat whole milk contains is actually good for you, says a recent study (3). The essential nutrients whole milk contains can prevent cancer. Also, whole milk can actually make you slimmer as well as lower the chances of diabetes!
5. Coffee
Coffee is probably more ‘sinful’ than chocolate! It causes heart problems, hypertension, damages your central nervous system, and what not!
But that is a thing of the past as recent studies have claimed that sipping on a cup of coffee can actually reduce your chances of both heart disease and an early visit to the grave (4). Coffee can also help prevent other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, liver cirrhosis, and even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
6. White Rice
Forget about rice’s bad effects such as upping your diabetes risk or causing a nutrition deficiency in your diet. Rice is not all that as it is made out to be, and there are quite a few reasons why you should make it a part of your diet.
First up, rice is easy on the stomach and absorbs all toxins, making it good for bad tummy days. Plus, it doesn’t have gluten! And it helps in the prevention of chronic digestive issues. Moreover, the arsenic content of white rice is way lower than brown rice, making it safe for consumption.
7. Pizza
Control your jaws from dropping. Pizza is to be no more considered as an unhealthy, good-for-nothing (good for taste buds though) food item! Yes, it’s been officially scrapped from the junk food list.
The logic here is the same as behind popcorn. As long as you cook it at home, pizza is actually quite nutritious. It is made up of very nutritious ingredients such as fresh veggies, lean meats, and cheese! Besides if you use a whole-wheat crust, you get carbs too in healthy amounts.
Bonus: Chocolate
The debate on the health quotient of chocolate has been going on for a long time, without reaching any solid conclusion. It’s time the debate ended. So, if you were wondering if chocolate is good for you, there’s great news!
Chocolate is healthy, but only the dark variety that contains at least a minimum of 70% cocoa (5). Dark chocolate can help retain your arteries’ flexibility, thereby improving one’s blood circulation. It can also reduce bad cholesterol levels and help keep your brain active in old age! Besides, chocolate also reduces the risk of suffering a stroke and can even prevent diabetes.
If you had any doubts about the healthiness of these 8 food items, you won’t have them now! So, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t eat them. Just show them this article as proof of why you can and should eat these 8 food items!
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