Here is a list of just some of the many things that have been linked to cancer risk and other serious diseases ‘according to scientific research.’

Coffee, tea, alcohol, chargrilled foods, smoked foods, meat, hard cheese, sugar, cigarettes, depression, talcum powder, household cleaners, weed killers, deodorants, wired bras, insomnia, vaping, too much sleep, X-rays, being childless, having several children, fluorine, microwaves, hair colourants, toothpaste.

Other research claims that some of the above actually improve our chances of living a long and healthy life. Even smoking has been said to reduce the chances of Parkinsons.

I think it all depends on whether it's a slow day news wise. My partner takes a couple of scientific journals, and in these I have read some examples of how this research - often badly done to begin with - gets turned into something to grab the headlines.

One such is the 10,000 steps a day myth. This all began in the mid 60's when a Japanese company invented a gadget to measure the distance walked. The name given was "Manpo-kye" which translates as 10,000 steps. The marketing was very successful in Japan, but it was a long time before ‘experts’ in the west got involved.

I have been there, not so much in terms of counting steps, but setting a daily minimum of hours walked. Even on holiday I have been known to go out in the dark to catch up on lost walking time.

One more recent research project suggested that maximum benefits for the average body are achieved around 4,000 steps, and beyond 7,000 is actually detrimental. Of course, that research could be flawed too!

Breakfast is another hot topic. Have a substantial breakfast we were told for years, then, that became breakfast on something much lighter to help control weight. Eat nothing before midday, eat nothing before the evening, don't eat at all.

As a lifelong poor sleeper, I have been worried by the claims made linking insomnia to a whole range of ills, including dementia. Last week another ‘leading expert’ said the dangers of going short of sleep had been greatly exaggerated. Obviously, I prefer to listen to this man.

Eating your 5-a-day seems reasonable enough, and I do try to stick to that. However there does not seem to be any proof of the benefits. You have to question who is funding the research.

Scare stories about dry shampoo causing hair loss a few years ago turned out to be started by the makers of liquid shampoo. Dentists advised ‘spit don't rinse’ for healthy teeth and gums, based on some very sketchy report from a toothpaste company.That soon stopped when patients were getting painful mouth ulcers.

When it comes down to expert opinion, you pays your money and you takes your choice. You are the number one expert when it comes to yourself and what works for you.

Val

A Moodscope member