7 food myths everyone repeats (that science already debunked)
You forward them on WhatsApp without a second thought. Here they are, one by one, with the source that knocks them down.
The short version
- Many food "truths" are myths that science has already cleared up.
- Every myth on this list comes with its source (WHO or Harvard) and a link to go deeper.
- General rule: distrust the easy headline and check the portion and the label.
1. "Eggs clog your arteries"
False for most people. Harvard notes that dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol are "only weakly related," and that up to one egg a day is not linked to higher heart risk in healthy people. Read the full article →
2. "Avocado is fattening"
It's one of the good fats. Per Harvard, people who ate two or more servings a week had 16% lower cardiovascular risk. What matters is the portion, not avoiding it. Read the full article →
3. "Zero soda helps you lose weight"
In 2023 the WHO advised against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control: it "does not help with weight control in the long term." Read the full article →
4. "If it says light, it's low in sugar"
"Light" is about fat, not sugar; often sugar is added back to make up for flavor. The WHO recommends keeping free sugars under 10% of your calories. Read the full article →
5. "Multigrain bread is always whole grain"
Brown color and the word "multigrain" don't guarantee whole grain. Harvard advises making sure "100% whole grain" is the first or second ingredient. Read the full article →
6. "Natural juice is the same as eating fruit"
It isn't: Harvard warns that juice holds as much sugar as soda and doesn't fill you up like whole fruit, which keeps its fiber. Read the full article →
7. "A pinch of salt doesn't matter"
The problem isn't the pinch, it's all the hidden sodium. The WHO recommends under 5 g of salt a day; excess raises blood pressure and is linked to 1.7 million deaths a year. Read the full article →
The takeaway
Almost all of these myths share one thing: they sound logical and are easy to forward, but they fall apart when you check the evidence. Before believing (or sharing) the next one, find the source and look at the real portion. And if you want to know what's actually on your plate, scan it with CalorIA Scan.
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- Harvard T.H. Chan — The Nutrition Source: Eggs
- Harvard T.H. Chan — The Nutrition Source: Avocados
- Harvard T.H. Chan — The Nutrition Source: Whole Grains
- Harvard T.H. Chan — The Nutrition Source: Sugary Drinks
- WHO — Advice on non-sugar sweeteners (2023)
- WHO — Healthy diet (free sugars)
- WHO — Salt reduction
Keep reading
- 🍓LabelsYour "light" yogurt can pack more sugar than a donut
- 🥚MythsDo eggs clog your arteries? What the science actually found
- 🥤Sweeteners"Zero" soda: why the WHO tells you not to use it to lose weight
- 🥑Myths"Avocado is fattening": the myth that confuses fat with the enemy
This article is informational and not medical advice. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian before changing your diet, especially with a pre-existing condition.