Misconceptions about Food and Health

Jaggery vs. Sugar

Common belief: Jaggery is healthier than sugar.
Reality:
- Jaggery is essentially sugar with minor extra minerals that make no significant health difference.
- Raw, unprocessed jaggery is dark, sticky, and generally not bought in that form.
- The jaggery available in markets is processed, bleached, and contains chemicals to reduce pH.
- Both jaggery and sugar are almost equally bad for health, with the only difference being taste.

Common belief: Brown sugar is healthier than white sugar.
Reality:
- Modern brown sugar is refined white sugar with molasses added back to it.
- Contains minimal minerals (e.g., iron), which are insignificant health-wise.
- Denser than white sugar, meaning more sugar content per teaspoon.
- Use for taste, not for health benefits.

Common belief: Honey is a healthier alternative to sugar.
Reality:
- Honey is 99% sugar.
- Small benefits for soothing a child’s cough, but little to no benefits for adults.
- Consume for flavor, not for health benefits.

Common belief: Fruit juices are a healthy alternative to sugary drinks.
Reality:
- Fruit juices contain sugar without the beneficial fiber found in whole fruits.
- Equally bad for health as other sugary drinks.
- Whole fruits are preferable as they include fiber, preventing overconsumption.

Consensus: Sugar is highly detrimental to health, similar to cigarettes and alcohol.
Note for Diabetics:
- Need to cut down on carbohydrates as well, which ultimately convert to glucose.
- Continuous glucose monitoring can offer personalized insights into blood sugar reactions.

Cucumber Bitterness: Rubbing the ends does not reduce bitterness.
Carrots and Eyesight: Myth originating from WWII propaganda; not scientifically backed.
Spicy Foods and Stomach Ulcers: Ulcers are caused by bacteria or painkillers, not spicy food.
Non-Vegetarianism and Aggression: No evidence supporting food-type-induced aggression.
Turmeric: Overconsumption can cause liver issues; not a miracle cure.
Alkaline Diets: Body maintains pH independently; dietary changes do not affect systemic pH.
Boiling Milk: Unnecessary for modern, pasteurized milk unless for specific tastes or fat separation.

Technology improves convenience without compromising health (e.g., pasteurization, refrigeration, microwaving).
Many traditional beliefs about negative effects of modern food practices are scientifically unfounded.

General detox diets (green tea, spinach juice) are ineffective; liver and kidneys naturally detoxify the body.
The only effective detox is medical detox for substance abuse.
Non-medical detox diets lack scientific backing, especially lacking randomized control trials support.