Neither absolute truths nor grandiloquent holders nor definitive advice: Nutrition recommendations are governed by nuances, changing variables and constant assessment breaksIn the end, nobody knows what to believe or what advice to really lead a healthy life.
The Nutritional studies seem to deliver conflicting conclusions or, at least not -definitively and in the field of power supply, Just like in almost everything, nuances is also important and methodology. But sometimes when we read data, information or articles about a study of power supply We only stay with the headlines or with what we are most interested or delivered.
So, so, If we are only present for the form, but not in the background, we can take “absolute truths” Consuming meat is associated with an increased risk of cancer, that vegetarian diets cause a greater risk of osteoporosis or that sweeteners increase the possibility of having obesity or diabetes, to quote some examples.
Good nutrition for a healthy life
“Every study in power supply Says something else, “” There are studies for everything “or” In the end, the best we have eaten for a lifetime. “These are some of The statements that are usually heard in different areas of society in relation to the diet.
Opinions like this reflects the distrust of nutritional scienceIdentifying the benefits and damage of certain foods are reduced to purely speculation.
As Deirdre K. Tobias, recognized Nutrition Pidemiologist at the Harvard Public Health (US), the Harvard Public Health (US), however The issue is not in the inequal results of the studies, but in the incorrect questions that have been asked.
To evaluate the effect of a food, it is essential to tackle three important problems: compared to what?; Do we consume food or nutrients? And for what purpose are they consumed? Only If you respond well to these questions, you can get a clearer and more reliable vision About the true impact of our food.
The key is to compare
Evaluate the The impact of a health food in itself has different limitations. During the day our choice is limited, which means that consuming an edible implies to stop taking another. In this way the effect of a product depends not only on its properties, but also those who replace it.
A clear example is one study that demonstrated how the consumption of Serrano Ham could cause the benefits of benefitsBut these results were compared with cooked ham.
If we choose Consume Serrano Ham instead of processed meat, known for its harmful effects on cardiovascular healthWe will probably get cardiovascular benefits.
But yes Serrano Ham Consumption replaces vegetable protein sources, such as legumes, evidence suggests an increase in cardiovascular risk.
Although in both cases there is an increase in the intake of Serrano Ham, The impact on health will depend on the food that moves. This is a fundamental consideration when making informed decisions about power supply: Without knowing what we compare a food, we cannot know the real effect on our health.
Nutrients or food?
We often talk about the benefits of a food based on the isolated effects of the nutrients it contains. We assume that, The greater the content of certain nutrients that are considered usefulS, such as proteins or vitamins, more nutritious will be food and therefore better for our health. However, this principle is not always correct.
Once We achieve the requirements of these nutrients, no longer necessarily consume It offers extra benefits and can even be harmful.
Moreover, it is that important to remember that we consume completely food, non -insulated nutrientsSo we must take into account the effect of the interaction between all the components of the food, which is not always the sum of his individual effects.
An enlightening example They are nitrates that are found naturally in some vegetablesSuch as beets or spinach, or as preservatives processed in meat. In vegetables, nitrates become nitrogen oxide, a powerful vascular remover with hypotensive effects.
However, these nitrates are converted into nitrosamine, substances that the international agency for Cancer research (IARC) classifies as likely carcinogens for people. This discrepancy in the effects is due to the presence of other connections in these foods, which modulate the functioning of nitrates.
Why do we eat what we eat?
The Food decisions are influenced by various factors, including the impact on health It is one of the most decisive ones. When the goal is to improve this parameter, it is essential to determine priorities based on the most important non -transferable chronic diseases associated with diet, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes.
In terms of public health, It is counterproductive to advise the consumption of a foodSuch as legumes – because of their antinutrient content -, as analyzing the effect of their consumption, benefits are observed by moving others such as meat.
Likewise, health workers They must promote nutritional guidelines that increase hope and quality of life. Only argues for a nutritional food or pattern due to factors such as therapy compliance or difficulty in following these guidelines can remove us from the purpose of improving public health.
This does not mean that these factors are not important; On the contrary, they must be taken into account. The implementation of measures on government scale, in the food industry and in the nutritional guidelines, with the To promote greater compliance with the recommendations that are optimally considered for health.
Decisions made in scientific evidence
The Nutrition Science is not limited to pointing out which food is good or badBut you must answer important questions about the context of your consumption.
For them Dietary recommendations are useful, we must understand that the impact of a food on our health It not only depends on the composition, but also on the food it replaces, how nutrients as a whole work on each other and the goal behind their choice.
In addition, Food decisions must go beyond the individual, and also take into account its effects on society and the environment.
Only integration of all these factors can make informed decisions that not only our health and Nutrition, but also the sustainability of the planet, and head for food guidelines that promote a greater life expectancy, healthy and healthy and responsible for the environment.