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Coffee is Good for You: From Vitamin C and Organic Foods to Low-Carb and Detox Diets, the Truth about Diet and Nutrition Claims
Though food is supposed to be one of life's simple pleasures, few things cause more angst and confusion. Every day we are bombarded with come-ons for the latest diet, promises for "clinically proven" miracle ingredients, and warnings about contaminants in our favorite foods. It's enough to give anybody indigestion.Packed with useful-and surprising-information, Coffee Is Good for You cuts through the clutter to reveal what's believable and what's not in a fun and easily digestible way.
You'll find out:
Locally grown produce isn't necessarily more healthful than fruits and vegetables from across the globe Alcohol does cause breast cancer You don't need eight glasses of water a day for good health Milk isn't necessary for strong bones Oatmeal really can lower cholesterol Sea salt isn't more healthful than regular salt Low-fat cookies may be worse for you than high-fat cheese
You'll find out:
Locally grown produce isn't necessarily more healthful than fruits and vegetables from across the globe Alcohol does cause breast cancer You don't need eight glasses of water a day for good health Milk isn't necessary for strong bones Oatmeal really can lower cholesterol Sea salt isn't more healthful than regular salt Low-fat cookies may be worse for you than high-fat cheese
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2012
12 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Davis
4 books17 followersRobert J. Davis, PhD, a.k.a. The Healthy Skeptic, is an award-winning health journalist whose work has appeared on CNN, PBS, WebMD, and in The Wall Street Journal. The author of three previous books on health, he hosts the “Healthy Skeptic” video series, which dissects the science behind popular health claims. Davis holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree in public health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and a PhD in health policy from Brandeis University, where he was Pew Foundation Fellow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 28, 2012
Yep...everything that is good for you is bad...everything bad for you is good....what to do...this was a quick and interesting read...but do I believe it??? Don't know, because it may change tomorrow.
July 12, 2012
**Nutrition fact vs. fiction**
One day you hear that [insert your favorite food here] is good for you, and you find yourself enjoying it even that much more. But, then the next day, the headlines scream that [insert your favorite food here] is bad, and you really need to avoid it at all costs. (??!!??) Sound familiar? Want some guidance navigating the nutrition fact-vs-fiction maze?
If so, you’ll likely eat up this nutrition-packed book. Based on the relevant research from a healthy serving of nutrition science references (“It’s as well-referenced as most medical school textbooks,” raves reviewer Dr. Nancy Snyderman), the book reviews 65 nutritional claims and gives each a “truth scale” label of: Inconclusive, No, Half-True, or Yes. Before reading the book, see if you can guess which label applies to each of the following groups:
Group 1:
--Alcohol causes breast cancer
--Cranberry juice prevents urinary infections
--Fish oil prevents heart disease
--Nuts prevent heart attacks
--Trans fats are harmful
--Oats lower cholesterol
--Red meat is bad for you
--Well-done meat causes cancer
--Dairy products cause cancer
--Niacin improves cholesterol levels
--Antioxidants are good for your eyes
--Bagged salad should be washed
--A Mediterranean diet is good for you
--Diets high in watery foods help you lose weight
Group 2:
--Green tea promotes weight loss
--Butter is more healthful than margarine
--Multigrain foods are good for you
--Gluten is harmful
--Chocolate is good for you
--Raw veggies are more nutritious than cooked
--Yogurt improves digestion
--Soy milk is more healthful than cow’s milk
--Vitamin C fights colds
--Vegetarian diets are more healthful than other diets
--A caveman diet is ideal
Group 3:
--Coffee is bad for you
--You need eight classes of water a day for good health
--Juicing is the best way to get nutrients
--Olive old is the most helpful type of vegetable oil
--Eggs are bad for your heart
--Carbs make you gain weight
--Carbs help you lose weight
--Fiber prevents colorectal cancer
--High-fructose corn syrup is worse for you than sugar
--Honey is more healthful than sugar
--Aspartame is unsafe
--Sea salt is more healthful than regular salt
--MSG is harmful
--Produce grown locally is most healthful
--Acai berries help you lose weight
--Kosher meat is more wholesome than conventional meat
--Raw milk is better for you than pasteurized milk
--Milk is necessary for strong bones
--Dairy products promote weight loss
--B vitamins give you energy
--Multivitamins keep you healthy
--Bottled water is safer than tap water
--Microwaving in plastic is dangerous
--Genetically modified foods are harmful
--Irradiated food is unsafe
--Detox diets make you healthier
Group 4:
--Red wine is the most beneficial type of alcohol
--Diet soda makes you fat
--Saturated fat is bad for your heart
--Cinnamon is effective against diabetes
--Garlic lower cholesterol
--Organic produce is more healthful than conventional produce
--Soy wards off cancer
--Tomatoes prevent prostate cancer
--Grass-fed beef is more healthful than grain-fed beef
--Farmed salmon is less healthful than wild-caught salmon
--Mercury is sushi is toxic
--Most of us need more Vitamin D
--Chemicals in French fries cause cancer
--Very low calorie diets extend your life
How do you think you did? Now go and check out the book and see how your answers match up to the author’s conclusions. Warning: you might have to rethink what you thought was true!
Although the author’s final assessment of each of the nutritional claims is by no means the absolute truth (personally, I disagree with quite of a few of his conclusions), he provides the relevant references for you to go and make your own calls.
But, the bottom line is that fixating too much on nutrition is just not that nutritious! In the author’s own words:
“All the admonitions about which foods we should and shouldn’t consume can make eating a stressful chore. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Using science as your guide, focus on the claims with the greatest credibility and relevance, and tune out the rest. That way, you’ll feel less overwhelmed. While following sound nutritional advice is important for good health, it need not spoil your dinner.” (p. 55)
So, read up...then eat up.
One day you hear that [insert your favorite food here] is good for you, and you find yourself enjoying it even that much more. But, then the next day, the headlines scream that [insert your favorite food here] is bad, and you really need to avoid it at all costs. (??!!??) Sound familiar? Want some guidance navigating the nutrition fact-vs-fiction maze?
If so, you’ll likely eat up this nutrition-packed book. Based on the relevant research from a healthy serving of nutrition science references (“It’s as well-referenced as most medical school textbooks,” raves reviewer Dr. Nancy Snyderman), the book reviews 65 nutritional claims and gives each a “truth scale” label of: Inconclusive, No, Half-True, or Yes. Before reading the book, see if you can guess which label applies to each of the following groups:
Group 1:
--Alcohol causes breast cancer
--Cranberry juice prevents urinary infections
--Fish oil prevents heart disease
--Nuts prevent heart attacks
--Trans fats are harmful
--Oats lower cholesterol
--Red meat is bad for you
--Well-done meat causes cancer
--Dairy products cause cancer
--Niacin improves cholesterol levels
--Antioxidants are good for your eyes
--Bagged salad should be washed
--A Mediterranean diet is good for you
--Diets high in watery foods help you lose weight
Group 2:
--Green tea promotes weight loss
--Butter is more healthful than margarine
--Multigrain foods are good for you
--Gluten is harmful
--Chocolate is good for you
--Raw veggies are more nutritious than cooked
--Yogurt improves digestion
--Soy milk is more healthful than cow’s milk
--Vitamin C fights colds
--Vegetarian diets are more healthful than other diets
--A caveman diet is ideal
Group 3:
--Coffee is bad for you
--You need eight classes of water a day for good health
--Juicing is the best way to get nutrients
--Olive old is the most helpful type of vegetable oil
--Eggs are bad for your heart
--Carbs make you gain weight
--Carbs help you lose weight
--Fiber prevents colorectal cancer
--High-fructose corn syrup is worse for you than sugar
--Honey is more healthful than sugar
--Aspartame is unsafe
--Sea salt is more healthful than regular salt
--MSG is harmful
--Produce grown locally is most healthful
--Acai berries help you lose weight
--Kosher meat is more wholesome than conventional meat
--Raw milk is better for you than pasteurized milk
--Milk is necessary for strong bones
--Dairy products promote weight loss
--B vitamins give you energy
--Multivitamins keep you healthy
--Bottled water is safer than tap water
--Microwaving in plastic is dangerous
--Genetically modified foods are harmful
--Irradiated food is unsafe
--Detox diets make you healthier
Group 4:
--Red wine is the most beneficial type of alcohol
--Diet soda makes you fat
--Saturated fat is bad for your heart
--Cinnamon is effective against diabetes
--Garlic lower cholesterol
--Organic produce is more healthful than conventional produce
--Soy wards off cancer
--Tomatoes prevent prostate cancer
--Grass-fed beef is more healthful than grain-fed beef
--Farmed salmon is less healthful than wild-caught salmon
--Mercury is sushi is toxic
--Most of us need more Vitamin D
--Chemicals in French fries cause cancer
--Very low calorie diets extend your life
How do you think you did? Now go and check out the book and see how your answers match up to the author’s conclusions. Warning: you might have to rethink what you thought was true!
Although the author’s final assessment of each of the nutritional claims is by no means the absolute truth (personally, I disagree with quite of a few of his conclusions), he provides the relevant references for you to go and make your own calls.
But, the bottom line is that fixating too much on nutrition is just not that nutritious! In the author’s own words:
“All the admonitions about which foods we should and shouldn’t consume can make eating a stressful chore. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Using science as your guide, focus on the claims with the greatest credibility and relevance, and tune out the rest. That way, you’ll feel less overwhelmed. While following sound nutritional advice is important for good health, it need not spoil your dinner.” (p. 55)
So, read up...then eat up.
February 19, 2015
Enjoyed reading the book. Not only does it serve up useful health information, the author also writes in a humorous manner and each section ends with a funny or witty remark. So the book is not boring to read. In fact I was surprised at how quickly I was able to finish it.
Some of the health facts the book claims that really surprised me:
1. MSG is not harmful - some people may be allergic (which accounts for people complaining of headaches after eating Chinese food), but there is no scientific evidence that it is harmful. That's news to me!
2. The claim that organic foods are more healthful than conventional food is inconclusive which is great because those organic foods cost a lot of money :-)
3. These too are inconclusive:
a. "Grass-Fed Beef Is More Healthful Than Grain-Fed Beef"
b. "Kosher Meat Is More Wholesome Than Conventional Meat"
c. "Farmed Salmon Is Less Healthful Than Wild-Caught Salmon"
The author also suggests ways to steer clear of over hyped claims about miracle foods and supplements. Instead, the author directs the reader to use sound judgment and look up results of scientific trials before believing any of the truth about certain health claims.
Some of the health facts the book claims that really surprised me:
1. MSG is not harmful - some people may be allergic (which accounts for people complaining of headaches after eating Chinese food), but there is no scientific evidence that it is harmful. That's news to me!
2. The claim that organic foods are more healthful than conventional food is inconclusive which is great because those organic foods cost a lot of money :-)
3. These too are inconclusive:
a. "Grass-Fed Beef Is More Healthful Than Grain-Fed Beef"
b. "Kosher Meat Is More Wholesome Than Conventional Meat"
c. "Farmed Salmon Is Less Healthful Than Wild-Caught Salmon"
The author also suggests ways to steer clear of over hyped claims about miracle foods and supplements. Instead, the author directs the reader to use sound judgment and look up results of scientific trials before believing any of the truth about certain health claims.
April 26, 2013
Terrific discussions of all the headline food stories of the past decade. Where Davis really impresses is in his discussions of the scientific studies associated with each food claim. Davis tells it straight : who sponsored the study, what kind of study it was, and where the flaws in each study were. He includes in his preface an overview of the types of scientific studies used in the food claims, which is helpful for the non-scientists who freak at every new dangerous story about food in the news.
And don't worry about microwaving in plastic. But wash your prewashed lettuce.
And don't worry about microwaving in plastic. But wash your prewashed lettuce.
November 3, 2024
Quick and interesting read regarding certain food and drink myths. I walked away with a lot of eye opening facts and tidbits. I didn’t know that overcooking meat actually releases a harmful toxin or that olive oil may not be the most healthy of cooking oils to choose from. After reading it, the book pretty much affirms what we already know: just about everything in our lives, especially food and beverages, should be taken in moderation.
January 17, 2012
This is a good reference to have for when the media or anybody really tells you some farcial or unlikely claim about what a food can do. I like the breakdown of claims as yes, no, half true, or inconclusive. Davis then provides the background or an anecdotal tale followed by the science to eith substatian or debunk the claim. The end is a good tool as it provides a checklist of things to consider when you read about future food claims and curealls. My favorite part may be his refrences section. He cites each paper used and organzies them by topic so the reader can go and see the data for themselves.
May 16, 2019
The author states in his introduction "some of what you read here will undoubtedly be superseded by new information in the future." This book was published in 2012, and I think it's time for the author to revise.
March 19, 2022
Quyển sách nhắc nhở chúng ta hãy có cách nhìn tổng quát nhất có thể, về chế độ ăn uống hiện nay "như thế nào là lành mạnh" đang là một dấu chấm hỏi to lớn với nhiều thế hệ.
- Cà phê không tốt cho sức khỏe?
- Sữa chua tốt cho hệ tiêu hóa?
- Sữa tươi tốt cho sự phát triển của xương ... ?
Rất nhiều thứ chúng ta thường nghe thấy trên các quảng cáo và trích dẫn căn cứ khoa học nhưng đó không phải là tất cả, 1 nghiên cứu chung quy vẫn là một mảnh ghép của bức tranh khoa học, vì thế, hãy tỉnh táo để không bị dẫn dắt bởi 1 nghiên cứu chủ quan nào đó mà dẫn đến chế độ ăn uống sai lầm, cho bản thân hoặc gia đình của chúng ta.
Vẫn còn nhiều điều mà khoa học vẫn chưa thể kết luận do sự giới hạn trên nghiên cứu trực tiếp trên con người, nhưng các bạn hãy xem cơ thể của mình phản ứng ra sao với chế độ ăn uống hiện tại và có cách điều chỉnh hợp lý. Có 1 điều luôn đúng và tôi đã áp dụng "thịt đỏ không tốt cho sức khỏe".
Cảm ơn tiến sĩ Robert J.Davis
- Cà phê không tốt cho sức khỏe?
- Sữa chua tốt cho hệ tiêu hóa?
- Sữa tươi tốt cho sự phát triển của xương ... ?
Rất nhiều thứ chúng ta thường nghe thấy trên các quảng cáo và trích dẫn căn cứ khoa học nhưng đó không phải là tất cả, 1 nghiên cứu chung quy vẫn là một mảnh ghép của bức tranh khoa học, vì thế, hãy tỉnh táo để không bị dẫn dắt bởi 1 nghiên cứu chủ quan nào đó mà dẫn đến chế độ ăn uống sai lầm, cho bản thân hoặc gia đình của chúng ta.
Vẫn còn nhiều điều mà khoa học vẫn chưa thể kết luận do sự giới hạn trên nghiên cứu trực tiếp trên con người, nhưng các bạn hãy xem cơ thể của mình phản ứng ra sao với chế độ ăn uống hiện tại và có cách điều chỉnh hợp lý. Có 1 điều luôn đúng và tôi đã áp dụng "thịt đỏ không tốt cho sức khỏe".
Cảm ơn tiến sĩ Robert J.Davis
May 5, 2024
Quyển sách nhắc nhở chúng ta hãy có cách nhìn tổng quát nhất có thể, về chế độ ăn uống hiện nay "như thế nào là lành mạnh" đang là một dấu chấm hỏi to lớn với nhiều thế hệ.
- Cà phê không tốt cho sức khỏe?
- Sữa chua tốt cho hệ tiêu hóa?
- Sữa tươi tốt cho sự phát triển của xương ... ?
Rất nhiều thứ chúng ta thường nghe thấy trên các quảng cáo và trích dẫn căn cứ khoa học nhưng đó không phải là tất cả, 1 nghiên cứu chung quy vẫn là một mảnh ghép của bức tranh khoa học, vì thế, hãy tỉnh táo để không bị dẫn dắt bởi 1 nghiên cứu chủ quan nào đó mà dẫn đến chế độ ăn uống sai lầm, cho bản thân hoặc gia đình của chúng ta.
Vẫn còn nhiều điều mà khoa học vẫn chưa thể kết luận do sự giới hạn trên nghiên cứu trực tiếp trên con người, nhưng các bạn hãy xem cơ thể của mình phản ứng ra sao với chế độ ăn uống hiện tại và có cách điều chỉnh hợp lý. Có 1 điều luôn đúng và tôi đã áp dụng "thịt đỏ không tốt cho sức khỏe".
Cảm ơn tiến sĩ Robert J.Davis
- Cà phê không tốt cho sức khỏe?
- Sữa chua tốt cho hệ tiêu hóa?
- Sữa tươi tốt cho sự phát triển của xương ... ?
Rất nhiều thứ chúng ta thường nghe thấy trên các quảng cáo và trích dẫn căn cứ khoa học nhưng đó không phải là tất cả, 1 nghiên cứu chung quy vẫn là một mảnh ghép của bức tranh khoa học, vì thế, hãy tỉnh táo để không bị dẫn dắt bởi 1 nghiên cứu chủ quan nào đó mà dẫn đến chế độ ăn uống sai lầm, cho bản thân hoặc gia đình của chúng ta.
Vẫn còn nhiều điều mà khoa học vẫn chưa thể kết luận do sự giới hạn trên nghiên cứu trực tiếp trên con người, nhưng các bạn hãy xem cơ thể của mình phản ứng ra sao với chế độ ăn uống hiện tại và có cách điều chỉnh hợp lý. Có 1 điều luôn đúng và tôi đã áp dụng "thịt đỏ không tốt cho sức khỏe".
Cảm ơn tiến sĩ Robert J.Davis
July 13, 2024
A quick and informative read, and a credible one too. The book heavily emphasizes methodology in nutrition research, and has a pretty hefty list of (peer reviewed journal article) references for such a short book. Also, much of the book echoes what I’ve learned from my dietician and/or Maintenance Phase. I do think it’s wild that while he does mention mad cow disease contamination in the beef industry, he doesn’t mention the routine practice of grinding up dead cows (including their brains) for protein supplements for cows (which is how we got the prion outbreak in the UK in the 90s). If I didn’t already struggle with meeting my nutritional needs, that would be gross enough to keep me away from eating beef forever
March 21, 2018
it is funny how this book echoed some of my own beliefs about the food industry. I thought it was funny when the author pointed out that a lot of them take advantage of consumers by selling half truths with vague promises. I recommend this book to anyone who diets or is wanting to go on a diet. even people who take supplements to promote healthfulness. you may be surprised at what you find in this little book. if you do pick it up please read the introduction if not the book could mean less than nothing to you.
August 21, 2017
Facts, facts, facts!
Loved it.
Enjoy a scientific and factual compilation that helps me know more about concepts I already knew a great deal about. But the science of food and nutrition has always intrigued me.
Loved it.
Enjoy a scientific and factual compilation that helps me know more about concepts I already knew a great deal about. But the science of food and nutrition has always intrigued me.
January 31, 2020
it’s witty and humorous but also factual. the author does a nice job of explaining certain food related myths and the facts behind it. he does a nice job of staying impartial to either side rather filling you on in the details many people don’t know. overall interesting read so i’d recommend.
January 18, 2022
Good review of commonly stated claims about food, of which (it turns out) more are false than true. Except for one anachronistic reference to Snopes.com as a "reputable source," it seems to be sound and well researched.
July 3, 2017
Another reminder that you can't believe everything you read, especially when the company reporting the information stands to benefit.
August 7, 2025
Very accessible and an easy read. This book being 13 years old, I definitely took it with a grain of salt. I’d like to see an updated version.
December 21, 2012
This well-researched, yet light-hearted book addresses many popular claims about nutrition. I appreciated several features of Davis's work. First, he introduces the book with an approachable analysis of nutrition research; he explains a bit about experimental design and which studies carry the most informational value. This analysis then serves as the basis for his ratings of "no," "half-true," "yes," and "inconclusive" as he considers the scientific validity of one claim after another. Second, he concludes the book with some pointers on how readers can judge for themselves the accuracy of other nutrition claims. Finally, he provides an extensive bibliography of food science and health research backing his evaluations.
Consequently, besides answering burning questions about food and health, the book can also save the reader money and suggest beneficial dietary changes. Some costlier foods that are touted as being healthy (or at least healthier) turn out to be on par with their conventional alternatives.
Consequently, besides answering burning questions about food and health, the book can also save the reader money and suggest beneficial dietary changes. Some costlier foods that are touted as being healthy (or at least healthier) turn out to be on par with their conventional alternatives.
October 2, 2013
This was a great quick read. Robert Davis gave us his updates on the current status of all the health zigzags that have made me personally quite dizzy (his catchy phrase not mine). Got the low down on coffee=good, red wine=good (but would have put the book down if that was bad), vitamin c, gluten free, low carb, fish oil, acai and a multitude of other health do's and don'ts. Except... I have this feeling that by next year he will have to update his book.
I would have valued this book more if he used more references for each topic and captured the full scope of research and opinions and provided more biochemical detail.
It is an interesting read for health conscious people (mom, sisters).
Writing style engaging
Great sense of humor
Nice dashboard concept for health ratings
I would have valued this book more if he used more references for each topic and captured the full scope of research and opinions and provided more biochemical detail.
It is an interesting read for health conscious people (mom, sisters).
Writing style engaging
Great sense of humor
Nice dashboard concept for health ratings
July 19, 2014
Nutrition reporting meets Mythbusters. This was a quick and easy read in fairly short segments addressing a number of diet and nutrition claims. I wasn't totally sold on all of his conclusions, but for the most part, it seemed well researched and fairly reasonable. He acknowledged that our understanding of nutrition is a moving target and the science is changing all the time. I suspect a couple of things in the book may already be contradicted by new research, but he advises the reader to stay tuned to new studies. I think the most useful part is his explanations of how the media often misinterpret or oversell study results and how to be a discerning consumer of news. He doesn't lay it out explicitly, but weaves it in and out of the narrative.
October 26, 2014
"Coffee Is Good/Bad for you" tackles several myths and claims on food and nutrition. The book is short - just 197 pages, including referances - and a quick read, but Davis manages to cover a wide range of nutritional claims (I counted 65 of them).
For people who are fairly up-to-date on nutrition research, this book has few surprises. None of the conclusions were specially controversial to me, but some will undoubtly react to his take on controversial topics like aspartame, GMO's and the paleo diet. All of the chapters come with quite a few references you can check for yourself if you doubt Davis' conclusions.
For people who are fairly up-to-date on nutrition research, this book has few surprises. None of the conclusions were specially controversial to me, but some will undoubtly react to his take on controversial topics like aspartame, GMO's and the paleo diet. All of the chapters come with quite a few references you can check for yourself if you doubt Davis' conclusions.
September 6, 2016
I enjoy Q & A style books. The author basically presents a food and health related idea (ex You should drink 8 glasses of water per day), deems it true, false, half-true, or inconclusive (the water example is false) then spends a page or two summarizing what research is out there. The author gave the information in a straightforward way, but sprinkled plenty of his personal humor to make it a more lighthearted read. Many current hot topic were covered and I felt it gave a good overall idea of what sort of health claims you should and shouldn't believe.
January 22, 2022
This is a good source of information about food myths, fads, nutrition, origins, etc. Most are new to me, some I already know, and some contradicts my stock knowledge on some concepts, which sometimes prompted me to backtrack and check the info. Also, we need to take into consideration the fast changing times regarding food trends. The book can be summed up into 10 major points, which can be found at the end of the book. These points can be a guide for us to look at food at a different perspective and eventually we form our own conclusions and choices. Good and informative read. 4 stars.
March 28, 2012
If you have one hour to flip through a book, this one was a decent one. Some of it was stuff I already knew, and some of it was new. You have to know that the book is about the nutrition of certain things, not ethics or environmental impact, etc. I only picked it up because my daughter told me I *had* to pick up a book while we were at the library, but it beat some of the other books that were on the shelf for sure!
January 25, 2014
I think this book had just enough humor to offset the facts that the author presented to make it easy to read and digest the information. I like how they explained what different types of research or studies were done and how the results may or may not be skewed due to who presented the study. I will keep these types of things in mind when new stories come out in the news as to a food being good/bad for us. It's constantly changing and sometimes the media blows things out of poportion!
November 15, 2014
Nice short anecdotes on common food myths. Nothing groundbreaking, and a quick read. The author has a light, self-depreciating essay style which is also readable, but sort of wish he'd whittled it down to a handful of food myths and misconceptions, and provided more in-depth materials on them. Although he's well sourced and everything is cited in the back...I'd rather the author feed it to me (no pun intended) in their terms. Plus, half the misconceptions and myths, I'd never heard before.
June 11, 2016
One way to spot junk is to examine the name of the author. Junk comes with M.D. PhD and other apparently random letters to elicit an authority position. Robert Davis is not an M.D. like other snake oil sellers, he is a heath journalist with a skill for sensational.
The book is clearly organized and well structured. But beyond that it is just a collection of 'I know of a study that...' And it is not that well referenced either.
The book is clearly organized and well structured. But beyond that it is just a collection of 'I know of a study that...' And it is not that well referenced either.
April 1, 2012
Another "it's OK to eat stuff, we aren't as smart as we think" book. With all the prescriptions on what to eat and what not to eat, Davis presents contradictory evidence and explains why it's OK to eat many things that have been demonized. Davis does his homework and points at foods to avoid, but his over arching message is eat in moderation. Fun to read and nice to know coffee is OK.
July 7, 2012
An interesting take on the food myths you may or may not have heard over the years. Some of them are pretty obvious, but a couple of them surprised me. It's interesting to think about how the food studies that you read come to be...who funds them, for example, and how that could affect the outcome, etc.
August 27, 2012
This is actually quite good but I feel like I would only give it 4 stars if it had a little bit more heft to it. Like seriously you can read this in an hour. There was a bibliography in the back so you would be able to do more in depth research if you wanted more detailed answers, but I wanted more in depth answers for everything. EVERYTHING.
February 28, 2013
Here is my comment in my Spanish Blog: http://lunairereadings.blogspot.com/2...
The book says that it will blow away the most common myths about food; but in reality; it is just another book that repeats all the things we already have heard somewhere else. I didn't find anything new in it.
The book says that it will blow away the most common myths about food; but in reality; it is just another book that repeats all the things we already have heard somewhere else. I didn't find anything new in it.
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