Research in Action Debunking Health Claims Vaping is not harmful. Short-term detox diets remove toxins from the body and promote weight loss. Energy drinks improve energy and concentration. Diet soda is a healthy alternative to regular soda. False Health Claim What Research Says False False You have probably heard claims about the health benefits of certain products, behaviors, and diets. The internet, social media, and advertising spread these claims quickly. Sometimes they even appear on product labels. When you see these health claims, Practice Your Skills Access Information Credible sources can help you critically evaluate the health claims you see on product labels, social media, or advertisements. In small groups, consider and evaluate the following health claim: Eating fat-free or nonfat food helps you lose weight. 1. In your group, research online, print, and other sources with information about this topic. Compile a list of four credible sources you can consult to evaluate this health claim. The list may include websites, books and articles, trusted adult experts, and other sources. 2. With your group members, discuss why you selected these sources and what makes them credible. Explain whether you should rely on these sources and why. 3. Discuss any possible weaknesses of the sources you chose. Why do you think these are weaknesses? How do they impact the reliability of the information? 4. According to the sources you chose, is the health claim true or false? Explain your reasoning and cite your sources in your explanation. you need to determine: are they true or false? are the products and behaviors advertised genuine or fake? useful or useless? safe or dangerous? Fortunately, reliable health information, based on research done by scientists, can help you verify or debunk health claims. False Vaping devices often contain more nicotine, which is highly addictive, than cigarettes. Nicotine harms the developing brains of teens and children. It impairs learning, memory, and attention and increases the chance teens will smoke. Vaping aerosol contains toxic chemicals that can cause lung damage. Short-term detox diets are fad diets. There is no evidence they work as promised, and they can lead to dehydration, mineral deficiencies, and malnutrition. The caffeine in energy drinks may temporarily increase energy, but these effects wear off quickly. Energy drinks contain a large amount of caffeine and other stimulants. These increase heart rate and blood pressure and cause irritability and insomnia. Energy drinks also contain large amounts of sugar and can cause weight gain. Diet soda contains less sugar than regular soda, but it is still not a healthy choice. Diet soda has no nutritional value and still increases a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 2 Health and Wellness Skills 43