Always two (or more) sides to every story

Even though that list of 50 foods seems very sound, I suggest that you take some care and check your sources.

Some time ago I read Wheat Belly (a book which is usually associated with Grain Brain, the other famous book by Dr. Perlmutter) and was shocked at what I read. Since it sounded so well researched I took it for granted and started thinking on how to adapt my food habits to cope with what I’d learned there. Then I started reading Grain Brain and to be honest I had a harder time buying everything he was saying there. That’s when I started doing some extra investigation, looking for what others were saying about these books. And, even though many were praising them, I found very reasonable criticism.

For me science rules here and I’m more than willing to radically change my habits if I find evidence-based facts that contradict my current beliefs. But it turns out that what these gentlemen write often lacks evidence-based facts, as much as they try to make use believe (or are convinced themselves of). Even though I still think a lot of what they say is true, they are biased. And that should be enough to be careful when trying to believe in what I read. Particularly in this area of food health, which is overpopulated with trends and contradictions. Since taking this stuff seriously can have a real impact on my health, I try to make sure that what I accept as true are indeed evidence-based facts.

I’ll give you an example. When you finish reading Wheat Belly and Grain Brain (which I didn’t finish btw) you thin inflammation is something to be avoided at all costs. They’re style is so alarming that they make you think inflammation is an open wound which needs to be healed. So when you hear that if you eat a particular food it will increase your inflammation you want run away from it. But actually inflammation is an unavoidable and important part of the metabolic process. Not having inflammation is like breathing was just about inspiration but never about expiration. The problem is not inflammation in itself. The problem is when you have higher than normal inflammation levels. So, yes you should avoid foods that promote inflammation. So their advice may be good. But I don’t like the way they convey it because, after all, inflammation happens to be an important phase of a cyclic process that keeps you alive so there is no escaping it.

This particular article does a good job at debunking several of the arguments which Wheat Belly stated as scientific facts:

And these articles may also help you see the other side of the story. But bear in mind that I’m not saying there are the ones who got it right. I’m just saying that your should read both sides, investigate, choose your sources wisely (I like www.examine.com for example), and even then, decide for yourself on what to believe from everything you read, even from your trusted sources.

Nuno