Don't Buy Into Health Hype

Have you heard about the latest miracle product that will energize, vitalize and detoxify you? Don’t believe it. Here are a few health fads that may not be so good for you.

Energy drinks • These beverages are often promoted as a way to improve energy and alertness. But any burst of energy is only the result of high quantities of sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates. Unlike sports drinks, which contain sugar and carbs but also hydrate the body, the caffeine in energy drinks can actually dehydrate you. Most energy drinks are not certified as natural health products in Canada. Think of them as a highcalorie snack. Healthy alternative: Fresh fruit and vegetable juices offer energy as well as valuable nutrients.

Enhanced Water • The bottled water craze has prompted some companies to so-called “enhance” their products by adding flavour, calories, colour or supplements. Some even claim to change the molecular quality of the water. There is no science to back up claims that you can “vitalize” water or change its chemical properties or that, even if you could, it would make the water better. Healthy alternative: Choose tap water or plain bottled water.

“Natural” Metabolic and Herbal Diet Products Extracts of hoodia, garcinia cambogia, kava and similar supplements are unproven as health products and are potentially dangerous, especially when mixed with some medications. Bitter orange, for example, contains synephrine, which has been linked to high blood pressure. Beware of products that claim to boost your metabolism. Healthy alternative: Increasing your level of physical activity will increase your metabolism.

Quick “Detox” Programs It is simply not possible to reverse a lifetime of bad eating habits and collected environmental pollutants with one or two weeks of fasting and herbal drinks. Healthy alternative: Maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is less complicated and a lot safer.

Antioxidant Pills • Highly functional vitamins and nutrients called antioxidants have been proven to be powerful tools in the fight against disease. However, there is no proof that the antioxidants found in some foods have the same effect when taken in pill form. Healthy alternative: Fresh blueberries (and berries in general), tomatoes, broccoli, spinach and green tea all contain high levels of antioxidants.