Food Superstitions Do Not Aid Health

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28911, 3 June 1959, Page 17

Food Superstitions Do Not Aid Health

History reveals a weird and fascinating story of food lore. Nero advocated a diet of leeks to clear the voice: toe Egyptians worshipped the garlip thinking it endowed the pyramid builders with great strength. How strange, we think, these people must have been to believe such benefits could be gained from foods and plants. Yet, in this twentieth century with its dramatic developments in medical and nutritional science many similar food fads exist, in spite of the irrefutable evidence to prove their unscientific basis, says an article from .the Home Science Extension branch. Adult Education department of rhe University of Otago. Bogus “Cures” To believe that certain foods or systems of dieting have value out of proportion to the recognised facts of medical treatment of specific diseases can be extremely damaging to health. In this category comes a host of regimes to “cure” hypertension, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Sadly enough, many of these schemes could not be further from the truth, giving currency to mistaken ideas. Often, they are not only nutritionally inadequate, but also calorically unsuitable. Current fashions in food have offered such fads as the prune, steak, and black coffee diet for weight reduction and the avoidance of so-called “acid-fruits” to relieve rheumatism and arthritis. This confusion that exists between

“acid-fruits” and “acid blood” is not uncommon and most people have no conception of the true meaning of these terms. The blood is normally alkaline and no single food or combinations of food can alter this. The condition of “acid blood” is one which would be incompatible with life. Food has a special fascination. It is, of necessity, with us at all times, to h'ave and to enjoy. Except in isolated cases, a prejudice for and against a certain food usually has no scientific basis. Why not take advantage of the tremenddus amount of work that has been done in the field of nutrition and feel secure and well-informed about your eating habits? •

“Wonder” Foods Unfortunately, the special attribute or power ascribed to a single food group of foods is often right out of proportion to its nutritional content. To- imagine that yoghurt can preserve youth and blackstrap molasses. is good for rheumatism and anaemia, not only encourages a waste of money, but also may damage health. This fermented milk costs more than whole fresh milk but has no mysterious vitality-giving virtues. Crude molasses will provide nothing more than sugar and a very, little mineral matter so there is no justification for giving it major recognition as a remedy for these diseases.

Other foods widely advocated for their wonderful value include raw and brown sugar, “live" honey, seaweed, wheat-germ oil and ground millet, none of which have been shotvn to possess any magic powers. It might be fun to try them but there is,no evidence to suggest that we need to eat such foods as these. Excess Vitamins

To think that everyone needs vitamin* concentrates, is a misguided apprehension. Scientists have agreed that the best source of vitamins are foods, so an average person on an adequate diet can expect to get no benefit whatsoever from added vitamin concentrates. An excess is an economic waste. If, however, there are insufficient levels of vitamins in the diet with resulting disease or disability, specific vitamin therapy will improve the condition. There is good evidence, on the other hand, that some vitamins may actually cause harm and toxicity if given in large excess, particularly to young children. A haphazard diet bolstered by self-prescribed vitamin concentrates is not advised, as pills cannot take the place of food. Wholemeal biscuits and cakes are said to be wholesome and nutritious. In spite of the fact that wholemeal flour has a higher nutritional value than white flour, these cakes and biscuits still contain sugar and so should not be eaten indiscriminately. The mere inclusion of wholemeal in the recipe does not alter the effect of sugar on the teeth and figure. In New Zealand we have such a wonderful variety of good food

that it is possible to eat a perfectly balanced diet. The realisation of the wonders worked with normal, easily-available foods makes for wise eating habits. Diet for Pregnancy Why is child-ibearing associated with excess weight gain? It need not be, but many women do eat too much during this period because they fear endangering the child. The idea that a pregnant woman must “eat for two” is only true with respect to certain essentials that she must provide for her unborn child. Protein as in milk, meat, eggs, fish, and cheese is important, as well as iron-rich foods namely liver, egg yolk and kidney. There is also an increased need for calcium-rich foods, so good quality food is of paramount importance. A careful diet wi?l not only prevent excess weight gain but will also give a good supply of milk to nurse the child. Excess weight resulting from too much food is unwise as well as unhealthy.