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6 food myths with bold claims and skimpy evidence

Some advice about how foods or supplements protect your health gets repeated so often that we assume it’s true. But the evidence is often scarce.

Fact vs. FictionJuly 20, 2023Bonnie Liebman, MS
cars stuck in traffic

Backed up? What can help with staying regular

If you’ve got problems with regularity, you’re not alone. Whether it’s occasional or chronic, you’re no doubt looking for relief. “There are so many recommendations out there,” says Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “Some of it works, and some is just folklore.”

Preventing DiseaseSeptember 14, 2021Caitlin Dow, PhD
hand over toilet

What you should know about laxatives for regularity

If you’re piling on the beans, whole grains, fruit, and veggies and you still aren’t regular, it may be time to consider an over-the-counter laxative. Laxatives come in two main varieties. The first is osmotic laxatives, which draw water into the colon. That softens the stool and makes them easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives move the stool along by helping the colon contract.

Preventing DiseaseJuly 17, 2020Caitlin Dow, PhD
Squatty Potty

Can a foot stool help you stay regular?

When you sit on a standard toilet, your rectum has a bend in it. “Elevating your feet helps straighten that angle, which makes it easier to go,” says Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Preventing DiseaseJune 25, 2020Caitlin Dow, PhD
plates of food

Can fiber help keep you regular?

First, what does it mean to be “regular”? “We consider normal anywhere from going three times per day to three times per week,” says Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Preventing DiseaseJune 4, 2020Caitlin Dow, PhD

Are probiotics the cure for irregularity?

Are probiotics the cure for irregularity? Many people seem to think so. In a survey of 2,557 British adults, roughly 35 percent of those with—versus 10 percent of those without—constipation reported taking probiotics. And a majority assumed that probiotics had curbed constipation in scientific studies.

Preventing DiseaseMay 30, 2020Caitlin Dow, PhD
drinking coffee

Can coffee, fluids, or physical activity help with constipation?

“Coffee stimulates the colon to contract,” explains Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Preventing DiseaseMay 30, 2020Caitlin Dow, PhD
gummy bears

Fake Fiber: good for health...or selling junk?

​​​​​​​"Very high in fiber," boasts the bag of Smart Sweets Gummy Bears, which have 100 percent of a day's worth of fiber in each serving. What does the fiber that's added to gummy bears do for you? Maybe nothing at all. Here's the scoop on which kinds of fiber do what.

Healthy EatingMay 23, 2018
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    • What to Eat
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      • Shop Smart
      • Restaurant Food
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      • The Planet & Your Health
      • Additives & Contaminants
      • Avoid Food Poisoning
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      • Pathogens and food safety: Farm to fork
      • New York nutrient warning labels
      • Predatory food marketing
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      • Front-of-package nutrition labeling
      • Farm Bill
      • The Straight Shot: Federal vaccine updates
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    • Food safety
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    • Healthy food banking
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