SHARK’S FIN SOUP
There’s no getting away from it-the shark’s fin is a prestigious marker for social occasions. A delicacy and a luxury item in Chinese cuisine, it is believed to increase virility and contain a high level of nutrition. However, research has shown that this is a myth. Not only will the consumption of shark’s fin disrupt the ocean’s ecosystem, the fin contains poisonous toxins. It’s a known fact that fish contains mercury and sharks are at the top of the list. So, when we consume shark’s fin soup, we are also taking in a lifetime of mercury stored in the shark as well.
MARGARINE
After binge on rice every morning, toasted bread with margarine would seem like a better choice for breakfast. After all, margarine is recognized to have less saturated fat and cholesterol. Unlike butter, margarine is made from polyunsaturated vegetable oil such as corn oil, suitable for vegan. But, the process of the product is daunting. Vegetable oil undergoes a hydrogenation process to solidify the margarine which will produce a high level of Trans Fatty Acids and man-made Trans-fats may be toxic to the body. Research has shown that margarine increases Low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (it’s the bad one) which has been linked to heart disease. Once the vegetable oil has passed the processing stage, all the original essential fatty acids are now gone, and all that’s left is plastic fat also known as margarine.
DECAF COFFEE
Late nights and lack of sleep combined with too much caffeine intake can really weigh down your health. Still, the fragrant aroma of roasted coffee beans is indeed irresistible and the healthier alternative would be to reach out for a decaf? Not really. While the general belief is that decaf coffee has no caffeine, studies have shown that decaf coffees and teas still retain small amounts of caffeine. In fact, there may be enough caffeine in some decaf varieties to interrupt a person’s sleep patterns. Still, coffee may have gotten a bad reputation all these years. Recent studies have shown that coffee may reduce the risk of heart disease and is a source of antioxidants. Of course, keep things in moderation-try to limit your intake to 3 cups a day.
SEA SALT
Sea salt is more nutritious than table salt. Not true! Sea salt is often extolled as being healthier compared to processed table salt that has lost mineral such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The only rationale behind the hype of sea salt is its impurities. Since sea salt is not washed or boiled to preserve the healthy minerals, when you consume sea salt, you’ll also consume the pollution, impurities and all. Both table salt and sea salt are similar other than its value. In fact, when you take table salt, you’re likely to consume 30% less sodium per teaspoon because it is produced in flakes, unlike sea salt which is in crystal form.
BIRD’S NEST SOUP
Another delicacy in Chinese cuisine, the bird’s nest comes from a species of swift renowned for building their nests with their saliva. Bird’s nest is a valuable commodity and is regarded to have high nutritive and therapeutic value. Women who religiously take it are longing for the proteins and minerals to help rejuvenate their skin and boost their immune system. Although it contains enzymes, salts, and mostly water, there is no scientific evidence to justify the claim, and as we all know, saliva is not nutritious. There was an incident written in the American Journal of Medical Science, where a Vietnamese man was poisoned from arsenic intoxication after consuming bird nest that was environmentally contaminated. So think twice before you glug down your next bowl of bird’s nest soup.
ARTIFICIAL SUGAR
Diet beverages seem to be the way to go lite because the effect a sugar overload has on our health is as obvious as our expanding waistlines. Artificial sugar is a sugar substitute with the same sweetness but minus the calories of sugar. The chemical terms for artificial sugar/ sweetener are saccharin, aspartame and sucralose. Some would consider them to be helpful, good for weight and diabetes management. Others consider artificial sugar/sweeteners to be little more than unhealthy and possibly responsible for a myriad of health problems, even contributing to obesity. Studies have shown that this man-made additive is addictive, and is proven with lab rats preferring water sweetened with saccharin to cocaine.
BAKED NOT FRIED
This line tends to have the uncanny power of influencing our buying decisions from a healthy standpoint, often to indicate lower levels of fat in the product. When we see crisps or snacks that claim this line, we automatically assume that baked not fried is the healthier option. It’s good to note, however, that baked not fried snacks are usually high in fat in the first place or contain just as much added fat as their fried counterparts. Frying or baking something that is already high in fat content is not going to reduce the amount of fat to begin with. There is also no guarantee that baking not frying means lesser calories. In the end, the better indicator of calories and amount of fat is still the nutrition information panel found on the product packaging.
GINSENG
Ginseng is a herbal remedy to lower cholesterol, reduce physical and mental stress and also an energy booster. In addition to its traditional role as a stress fighter, ginseng has shown great promise at reducing fatigue, increasing memory and even fighting off colds, flu. Before you rush out to the next Chinese herbal shop, keep in mind that ginseng does not have good scientific evidence to support any of the claims made from these alleged benefits of consuming this root. In 1998, news about contaminated ginseng was found in the U.S. that could damage liver and kidneys, interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and cause eye damage or cancer. For the price you pay, save your money for a more useful purpose.
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