The truth behind how food impacts our health
HONEY IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN SUGAR
MYTH Because of its natural appearance, honey is often touted as a healthy alternative to sugar. Both are carbohydrates that contain monosaccharides, also known as simple sugars, glucose and fructose. However, one isn’t necessarily better for you than the other. Honey does have a slightly lower glycemic index than sugar. A glycemic index score relates to how quickly a certain food releases glucose into the blood. The higher the score, the faster the glucose release, but also the faster the ‘sugar crash’. As a source of energy, glucose that’s released gradually over time can help prevent a sudden crash in energy. There are several health benefits that honey can provide which sugar cannot, including being a source of vitamin B. In 2021, researchers uncovered how its antimicrobial properties can be used to help improve the symptoms of respiratory tract infections.
TURMERIC IS A NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
FACT Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response when it’s infected by bacteria or when it’s damaged, such as by a cut or impact. The response typically causes swelling, bruising and redness. However, some chronic conditions – such as rheumatoid arthritis – develop when this natural process goes awry and the body is attacked by its own immune system.
Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin with anti-inflammatory properties. During periods of inflammation, curcumin can block some of the inflammatory immune cells, such as cytokines and enzymes, thereby reducing the severity of the swelling. Like many herbal remedies, using turmeric isn’t without side effects. Taking turmeric supplements, for example, can increase the risk of kidney stones, and large doses of the powdered root can lead to stomach irritation and other digestive issues.
Consulting with a medical professional is advised before seeking out turmeric’s anti-inflammatory abilities.
CARROTS CAN IMPROVE EYESIGHT
FACT Eating carrots can indeed rhodopsin converts light into an electrical help improve your eyesight signal that the brain interprets as sight. thanks to a form of vitamin A called retinol. While eating carrots won’t give you extra For decades, many have contemplated the night vision, it will help maintain optimal merits of eating these orange vegetables. optical health. If your vision is waning due to During World War II, the British military a lack of vitamin A, carrots can give your revealed to the press that its pilots were eyesight a boost. eating large amounts of carrots to improve their ‘night sight’, in a bid to convince German forces that the Royal Air Force was downing enemy planes with superior sight rather than a new top-secret technology: radar. However, carrots don’t improve your night vision. What the
