In daily life, the variety and promotion of health products are endless, with exaggerated claims about their benefits. Students and the elderly are the most susceptible to being misled, often falling for the hype and spending a fortune on these supposed wonder foods. Here’s a rundown of some foods that have been hyped to the heavens, to help you avoid being fooled.
1、Protein Powder: Healthy Individuals Don’t Need It
Over the years, as obesity rates have risen, there’s also a group of people who can never seem to gain weight, looking gaunt and pale. Enterprising merchants have claimed that these individuals should supplement with protein. Thus, protein powders have become a hot commodity. 
In Reality:
A 400-gram can of protein powder can cost you two to three hundred yuan. Healthy adults require 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, which can be easily met through a regular diet. Therefore, healthy individuals with a normal diet do not need to supplement with protein powder.
2、Grape Seeds: A Merchants’ Conceptual Shift
Grape seeds, usually discarded, have been touted by merchants as anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-aging agents. Products like “grape seed oil” and “grape seed powder” are all the rage.
In Reality:
While there are numerous in vitro studies showing grape seed extracts inhibiting cancer cells, the conclusions are clear: “in vitro experiments can inhibit cancer cells.” This only indicates potential for further research on specific cancer cells; currently, there’s no evidence that grape seed extracts can inhibit cancer cells in the body.
3、Organic Food: Just Psychological Comfort
When shopping at supermarkets, you’re often pitched “green vegetables” or “organic rice,” which sound high-end and healthy, especially with labels claiming “natural and pesticide-free.” But, “expensive” doesn’t always mean “better.”
In Reality:
Consumer associations have conducted random checks on so-called organic foods and green vegetables, testing for pesticide residues, heavy metal pollutants, and physicochemical indicators. The results were surprising; these supposedly “organic” foods, despite being much more expensive, often exceeded national standards in various tests…
4、High Calcium Milk: No More Useful Than Regular Milk
When buying milk, you’ll often see “high calcium milk,” which is pricier than regular milk. Nutritionists explain that high calcium milk simply has additional calcium added during production, increasing the calcium content.
In Reality:
Regular milk contains calcium in the form of lactic acid calcium, which has a higher absorption rate, while high calcium milk contains artificially added calcium carbonate, which is less absorbable. Drinking high calcium milk doesn’t mean you’ll absorb all the calcium it contains; regular milk is often sufficient!
5、Fish Oil: Eating Fish Is Enough
At every health supplement counter, fish oil is the star. Is it really that beneficial?
In Reality:
Since fish oil comes from fish, and its extraction is not stable, why not just eat fish? The answer is yes. Fish not only provides fish oil but also high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements. The low saturated fatty acid content in fish meat is also excellent for cardiovascular health.
6、Sea Cucumber: No Better Than Eggs
In restaurants, sea cucumber is a common menu item, prepared in various enticing ways. The owners tout its high protein content, promising both taste and health benefits, but at a heart-wrenching price.
In Reality:
Sea cucumbers are valued for their protein content, but the quality of this protein is not high. Protein quality is judged by how well the amino acids are absorbed by the body.
Eggs, however, match the human amino acid pattern most closely, making them a perfect protein source. Eating sea cucumber is less beneficial than having two eggs a day, supplemented with some soy products and greens, which provide superior protein in both quality and quantity.
7、Antialcoholismic Drug: They Do Not Reduce the Harmful Effects of Drunkenness
In China, there’s a tradition of toasting, especially for business people, where social drinking is endless. Thus, pharmacies are stocked with various anti-drunk drugs, claiming to allow one to drink without getting drunk.
In Reality:
Anti-drunk drugs are just a gimmick. Their approval numbers are for health supplements, not pharmaceuticals, and their ingredients only offer liver protection, not reducing the harm of drunkenness. The fundamental way to avoid drunkenness is to drink in moderation. Limit daily consumption to no more than 2 taels of baijiu or two bottles of beer. The Lancet journal has noted that even small amounts of alcohol consumption can have adverse health effects, including increased cancer risk, negating any minor health benefits from moderate drinking.
8、Enzymes: Deactivated as Soon as They Enter the Mouth
Enzymes have been all the rage in recent years, with merchants claiming they help with detoxification, beauty, and weight loss, quickly rising in the health supplement rankings.
In Reality:
“Enzyme weight loss” is a complete hoax. “Enzyme” is a Japanese term for what we know as “enzyme.”
However, the stomach’s acidity is very high, making it difficult for enzymes to survive. Plus, there are pepsins in the stomach designed for acidic environments, which can break down other enzymes. Once these enzymes reach the small intestine, they’re further attacked by even more aggressive proteases, rendering them inactive. Essentially, eating them is like eating nothing at all.
9、Children’s Soy Sauce: Inquisitive
Ads for children’s soy sauce claim it’s “specially brewed low-salt, mild soy sauce for children’s health,” suitable for mixing with rice or steaming food.
