New Delhi, June 6 (IANSlife) The Internet is full of misinformation and it can be difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish between fact and myth. Myths that were once passed down by word of mouth are now spreading like wildfire through social media, blogs and even traditional media. There are many reasons for this, including a 24-hour news cycle, long and hard-to-read research studies, and journalists / bloggers / celebrities looking for their next viral hit. As a result, information is often published without verification (or ignored).
The end result? Confusion, frustration and in some cases harm to those who are trying the latest quick fix or magic solution to weight loss and health problems.
Myprotein India examined the evidence and discussed three dietary myths that seem to be widespread in India and refuse to die.
Myth: Lemon water is a quick solution for fat loss
Except it’s not.
While lemon and water are not harmful in nature, they are not magical either. There are no compounds in this unique combination of ordinary fruit and water that cause a biochemical reaction that begins to melt our adipose tissue.
So don’t expect miraculous fat loss results from lemon water!
Although you will lose weight (not fat) if lemon water is the only thing (or one of the few things) you drink for a few days, it is due to severe calorie restriction as well as water loss. You will regain those pounds as soon as you resume your normal eating habits.
Truth: Lemons are just fruits, and fruits are healthy. Lemon juice will not contribute significantly to the intake of trace elements, but also does not contain many calories. Lemon juice contains small amounts of beneficial trace elements and phytochemicals, but it is not clear whether, among all fruits, lemons are uniquely valuable.
Most importantly, lemon water does not have a unique, proven benefit for fat loss. So do not expect miraculous results for weight loss from lemon water. Healthy eating and an active lifestyle are the key to long-term fat loss.
Myth: Chickpeas are a rich source of protein
A quick Google search (“calories made with chickpeas”) reveals that 100 g of this legume contains 9 g of protein and 27 g of carbohydrates, or 3 times the amount of carbohydrates relative to protein.
So, although it contains a reasonable amount of protein, it does not qualify as a rich source of protein because it contains many more carbohydrates.
Chickpeas can certainly be used to supplement protein intake or to replace sources of carbohydrates with lower protein content such as rice. It can also be used to supplement protein intake for vegetarians with disabilities.
Truth: Chickpeas are not a major source of protein, as every 1 g of chickpea protein comes with 3 g of carbohydrates. Do not rely on it (or similar legumes) as a major source of protein. A diet rich in these legumes is a diet high in carbohydrates, not high in protein.
Myth: Taking whey is like taking steroids
Supplements can be daunting for many people who are new to the gym. We’ve all heard the media talk about steroids and other illegal performance enhancers, and it’s easy to put all supplements in the same category. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to whey protein.
Whey is a component of milk; if we ‘cut’ the milk in half, we get whey and cheese. Whey has been proven to be a completely safe and high quality source of protein. It is highly processed (the process is necessary to extract whey from milk) and care must be taken to ensure that your whey protein is obtained from high quality sources.
Did you know that milk protein (and soy protein) is one of the main ingredients in baby powder formulas?
Whey protein appears to significantly increase muscle protein synthesis. In addition, there are no adverse effects on the liver or kidneys. The exception is if there is already existing damage to these organs, in which case this may exacerbate the problem. So, if you have kidney or liver problems, this may not be a good idea and you should consult your doctor before using whey.
It is a great source of protein to supplement our diet for those who do not have such problems, not just for those who lift weights or actively train. Vegetarians, for example, will benefit greatly from the inclusion of whey in their diet.
Truth: Whey is a natural part of milk and has been shown to be safe and effective when used by healthy people.
Misinformation is widespread, difficult to identify and, unfortunately, spreads much faster than the facts. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because we all want to be healthier, it’s easy to believe in health myths.
Believing in something, wanting it to be true, or feeling it has to be true doesn’t make it so. So be curious, skeptical and inquiring.
(you can contact IANSlife at IANSlife@ians.in)
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