An Apple a Day: The Myths, Misconceptions, and Truths Abou the Foods We Eat

Eatsalmon.It’sfullofgoodomega-3fats.Don’teatsalmon.It’sfullofPCBsandmercury.Eatmoreveggies.They’refullofgoodantioxidants.Don’teatmoreveggies.Thepesticideswillgiveyoucancer.Forgetyourdinnerjacketandputonyourlabcoat:youhavetobeanutritionalscientistthesedaysbeforeyousitdowntoeat—whichiswhyweneedDr.JoeSchwarcz,theexpertinconnectingchemistrytoeverydaylife.InAnAppleaDay,he’stakenhisthoroughknowledgeoffoodchemistry,appliedittotoday’stopfoodfears,trends,andquestions,andleaveneditwithhistrademarklightheartedapproach.Theresultisbothanentertainingrevelationofthemiraclesofsciencehappeninginourbodieseverytimewebiteintoamorseloffood,andatellingexplorationofthemyths,claims,andmisconceptionssurroundingourobsessionwithdiets,nutrition,andweight.Lookingfirstathowfoodaffectsourhealth,Dr.Joeexamineswhat’sintomatoes,soy,andbroccolithatcankeepushealthyandhowthehundredsofcompoundsinasinglefoodreactwhentheyhitourbodies.Thenheinvestigateshowwemanipulateourfoodsupply,delvingintothescienceoffoodadditivesandwhatbenefitswemightrealizefromaddingbacteriatocertainfoods.Heclearsuptheconfusionaboutcontaminants,examiningeverythingfrompesticideresidues,remnantsofantibiotics,thedreadedtransfats,andchemicalsthatmayleachfromcookware.Andhetakesastudiedlookatthescienceofcaloriesandweighsinonpopulardiets.