Media reactions
Whenever a new food study comes out, headlines may vary wildly with claims of alleged new links to health issues – misrepresenting scientific evidence, lacking context or oversimplifying complex issues. But what does the research actually tell us? We break down the story and share our briefings widely.
Does soy have harmful effects on our health?
31 March 2025France’s health agency has recommended to progressively phase out soy and soy-based foods in collective catering menus. What does this recommendation mean?
Are processed meats linked to an increased dementia risk?
03 February 2025Recent news stories have reported that people who eat a lot of processed meat, face a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Does this study on cognition and dementia add another reason to limit processed meats?
Do plant-based milk drinkers have a higher risk of depression?
09 January 2025We dig into recent news stories that have reported that vegans who drink plant-based milk alternatives are at a higher risk of depression and anxiety.
Does the sweetener xylitol increase risk of stroke?
13 June 2024New headlines report cardiovascular complications associated with the sweetener xylitol. But what did the study actually find and what should we keep in mind?
In the news: do ultra-processed foods increase risk of heart disease and stroke?
29 August 2023Recent news stories have reported that eating ultra-processed food increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, based on results from two new research studies. The use of the degree of processing of foods as an indicator of their healthfulness is a hotly debated topic in nutrition and food science. So, what exactly did these studies find and how do they add to the debate? Here are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines.
In the news: does aspartame increase our risk of cancer?
14 July 2023Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and is used to replace sugar and provide sweetness in energy-reduced food, or food with no added sugars. Recent news stories have raised the alarm that aspartame may be linked to cancer, but there are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines.
In the news: should we avoid using non-sugar sweeteners for weight loss?
22 May 2023Sweeteners are used in foods to replace sugar and add a sweet taste without (or with very few) calories, are therefore often used by people trying to lose or maintain their weight. However, recent news stories warned against the use of sweeteners, for weight loss. Here are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines.
In the news: do artificial sweeteners increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke?
07 March 2023Recent news stories reported that the low-calorie sweetener erythritol has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Sweeteners, including erythritol, are used in foods to replace sugar and add a sweet taste without (or with very few) calories. So, does this new data suggest we should avoid products containing erythritol? Before doing so, here are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines.
In the news: will eating grapes protect you against getting sunburned?
08 December 2022Recent news stories reported that eating grapes could protect against UV damage (UV radiation is part of the natural energy produced by the sun) that can increase the risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. While it is well known that a diet high in fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts and seeds is beneficial to health, could eating grapes help us ditch the sunscreen? Before doing so, here are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines.
In the news: can a low-carbohydrate diet reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes?
08 November 2022Recent news stories reported that a low-carbohydrate diet could prevent type 2 diabetes, or even reverse the established disease. But is this true? Before adopting such a diet on the basis of these new findings, here are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines.