Perspective: Saturated fat, good or evil? How to decipher contradictory nutritional research.
By Cara Rosenbloom April 8 at 7:00 AM It’s frustrating when nutrition studies seem to contradict earlier ones: “Are Eggs Good or Bad For You? New Research Rekindles Debate,” the Associated Press groused in mid-March. Though it may seem that dietary science is changing every day, that’s not really the case. I’m here to explain how nutritional research works, so you’ll have an easier time making sense of food headlines.
Small studies don’t provide powerful results, so researchers repeat the same small study many times, then group similar studies together in what’s known as a meta-analysis. “We pool data and come up with a moderately big study and reliable result,” says Jenkins. “Without meta-analysis, that’s when we’re left with ‘He said, she said.’ ”So, imagine that a small study is replicated many times. One research team may discover something that contradicts the commonly accepted science.
It is also easier to understand nutrition research when you know more about the types of studies that scientists conduct. The gold standard for evaluating cause and effect is the randomized control trial , where participants are divided by chance into separate groups that undergo different regimens. But it’s not always possible to do RCTs because they’re expensive and it’s hard for people to follow strict diet regimes long-term.
Another possible influence is social conformity. The need to fit in is powerful: Studies show that ostracism from a peer group activates the same part of the brain that experiences physical pain. “Researchers care about speaking the truth in their area of expertise, but they also care about how their peers and audience will value their ideas,” says Riis. “Some experts can also get themselves into a situation where they feel they will look foolish by backing down, or admitting they are wrong.
You can try to overcome this by reading different interpretations of the same science, and by listening to arguments from all perspectives. “If you’re really going to try to understand the science, you have to keep thinking about it, read new evidence, talk to more people, and be ready to update your beliefs,” says Riis.
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