Nutrition misinformation spreads because it is confident, simple and shareable. Good information is usually none of those things. Here are five claims worth putting down.
1. “Detox teas cleanse your system”
Your liver and kidneys do that work continuously and do not need help from a tea. Most detox products are laxatives. The weight lost is water and stool, it returns within days, and frequent use can disturb your electrolytes.
2. “Carbohydrates make you fat”
Excess energy leads to weight gain, from any source. Carbohydrate is the main energy source in most Nigerian diets and cutting it entirely is neither necessary nor sustainable. Portion and quality are the useful levers.
3. “Eating after 7pm causes weight gain”
The clock does not change how food is metabolised. What is true is that late eating is often extra eating — snacking after dinner, out of habit rather than hunger. That is what matters, not the hour.
4. “Natural sugar is fine, refined sugar is not”
Honey, agave and brown sugar are still sugar. They may bring trace nutrients, but your blood sugar responds much the same. If you are managing diabetes, treat them as you would table sugar.
5. “Skipping meals speeds up weight loss”
It usually backfires. People arrive at the next meal very hungry and eat more than they otherwise would. Meal timing can be a useful tool for some people, but skipping meals as a general strategy tends to work against you.
How to judge a claim
Ask three questions:
- Who benefits if I believe this? A claim attached to a product deserves more scrutiny.
- Does it promise speed? Rapid, effortless results are the most reliable sign of a poor claim.
- Is there any evidence beyond a testimonial? One person’s story is not evidence.
If you have seen a claim you are unsure about, bring it to us. Checking it together is more useful than guessing.