Health and Fitness

Science, advocacy, and quackery in nutritional books: an analysis of conflicting advice and purported claims of nutritional best-sellers

R. M. Marton, X. Wang, et al.

This insightful study evaluates the top 100 best-selling nutritional books, revealing a troubling landscape of contradictory advice and questionable qualifications among authors. Conducted by Rebecca M. Marton, Xindi Wang, Albert-László Barabási, and John P.A. Ioannidis, the research underscores the pressing need for accurate nutritional guidance.

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Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

This study analyzes the top 100 best-selling nutritional books, assessing their claims and authors' credentials. Weight loss was a common theme, with 31 books claiming to cure or prevent diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Nutritional advice varied widely and often contradicted itself. Author qualifications were also diverse; of 83 authors, 33 had an M.D. or Ph.D., but many lacked formal training in nutrition. The study highlights the inconsistency and potential misinformation in best-selling nutritional books, emphasizing the need for better dissemination of sound nutritional advice.

Publisher

Palgrave Communications

Published On

Mar 17, 2020

Authors

Rebecca M. Marton, Xindi Wang, Albert-László Barabási, John P.A. Ioannidis

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