A wise Dean of Nutrition at Ryerson University once said, “Research, no matter how good it is, has to be taken in context”. With the insane amount of nutrition related research to read on social media, we often forget this very important point.
The Orange Juice Dilemma
Here’s an example: good, old orange juice has been villainized for being too high in sugar and therefore, no healthier than a soft drink. Though orange juice has always been the ideal remedy for preventing scurvy and bringing a diabetic or dehydrated child back to a state of stable blood sugar, an ample serving of orange juice, when consumed alone, can cause a blood sugar spike similar to when drinking a soft drink.
Keeping It in Context – Study Control Factors
Here’s what the dean meant about “keeping it in context”. Researchers can prove just about anything if they change the variables of the study; variables such as quantity, quality, and method. An 8 oz. glass of orange juice instead of the traditional 4 oz. one. Processed juice rather than freshly squeezed. Or a single glass instead of as part of a meal, will turn the healthy orange juice into a culprit for obesity.
Everything in Moderation
Fruit is an important part of Canada’s Food Guide whether you consume it in a 4 oz. glass or in its original form. To villainize fruit juice by taking it out of its proper place, might bring us back to a time where nutrient deficient diseases left children with symptoms of weakness, anemia, gum disease and skin problems. And let’s not forget that juice glasses used to hold only 4oz. and that juice was only PART of a healthy breakfast. The last thing our ancestors expected us to do with orange juice was ‘super-size it’, drink it alone, or make a screwdriver out of it!
Everything in moderation; everything in context!
Our Power Up Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using quality food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for nutrition tips and tricks from me, our in-house nutrition expert!
To our health & wellbeing,
Shannon, Guest Blogger
