Three Surprising Facts Nutrition Scientists Can Agree On (And Three They Can’t)

<div>Harvard researchers concluded that people who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day will have a 20% reduced risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, compared with people who eat fewer than three servings a day. Indeed, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits brings many benefits, such as preventing you from overeating and lowering your risk of heart disease, strokes and certain forms of cancers.</div>

<div>Despite claims to the contrary, there is still insufficient scientific evidence whether organic foods can help protect against cancer, although<a href="http://ki.se/en/news/researchers-recommend-organic-agriculture-for-human-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> a recent European report</a> concludes that organic agriculture may be beneficial for human health. There are also national pesticide regulations to make sure their levels in non-organic foods stay within safe limits.</div>

<div>There are <a href="https://www.wcrf-uk.org/uk/recipes/diet-cancer-myths-debunked" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">claims</a> that eating burnt toast or overcooked roast potatoes carries a cancer risk, due to the fact that starchy food releases a compound called acrylamide when overcooked, which according to some studies can be carcinogenic. However,  these studies were carried out on animals, not humans. In fact, one study conducted on people across Europe, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund, found no link <a href="https://www.wcrf-uk.org/uk/blog/articles/2017/01/does-burnt-toast-give-you-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">between acrylamide and cancer risk</a>. Nevertheless, the UK Food Standards Agency advises you to cook potatoes, parsnips and bread until they turn a golden yellow color to limit the intake of acrylamide.</div>

<div>The term “superfoods” doesn’t actually mean anything. It’s a term invented by advertisers for foods like kale or blueberries that supposedly bring many health benefits like protecting against cancer. However, the validity of research studies on superfoods has been questioned by some critics, who argue that these studies tested levels of nutrients not normally found in real food. If you want to stay healthy and minimize the risk of cancer, the scientific consensus is that your overall diet and lifestyle will have a bigger impact than eating a few superfoods.</div>

<div>Are you a nutrition geek? The Swedish life-sciences university <a href="http://ki.se/en/startpage" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Karolinska Institutet</a> runs a prestigious master's program in nutrition science fully taught in English. It’s ideal for anyone looking to become a researcher and promises to equip you with the tools and knowledge you would need for further doctoral opportunities in the nutrition area. To find out more about the master’s program in nutrition science, register your interest <a href="http://ki.se/en/education/kise-sign-up-for-information-on-global-programmes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. Or apply online <a href="http://ki.se/en/utbildning/3nt18-masters-programme-in-nutrition-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</div>