Introduction
Myths regarding nutrition are widespread and represent views about food evoked by specific stereotypes. The existence of these myths is a severe problem as they impair people’s awareness of various aspects of nutrition. For instance, people may limit their intake of certain foods or consume excessive amounts, harming their health.
A popular myth concerning nutrition is that people with type 2 diabetes should avoid eating fruit. This myth involves a range of opinions that are contradicted by research data. Therefore, the idea about the harm of fruit to people with diabetes is an example of a false set of beliefs that has several negative impacts.
Dismantling the Myth of Fruit Avoidance in Type 2 Diabetes
The myth concerning the harm of fruit for people with type 2 diabetes is that people do not consider the differences between a range of products. The problem is not understanding the distinctive features between whole fruits and foods high in sugar and fibre, such as fruit juices. Consumption of whole fruits such as blueberries, grapes, and apples decreases the probability of developing type 2 diabetes (Muraki et al., 2013). Thus, the myth that fruits are directly harmful is caused by people’s lack of understanding of the different nutritional characteristics of various foods that can have different health impacts.
Nevertheless, overconsumption of specific foods produces adverse effects on health. It is necessary to emphasize that in the context of this myth, the harmfulness of fruits is proven in fruit juices. This product has a high sugar content compared to whole fruits, accelerating the development of type 2 diabetes (Muraki et al., 2013). Hence, several fruit products pose a real threat to the health of people with diabetes, which partially justifies this myth. However, this is unfair for whole fruits, which people often reduce due to stereotypes. Consuming a range of fruit products can harm one’s health.
Conclusion
Myths about nutrition are associated with stereotypes that prevent people from adequately understanding healthy and balanced eating habits. Misunderstanding the effects of certain foods on the body has negative health consequences because it prevents people from consuming the nourishment they need. In the case of the myth that fruit is harmful to people with diabetes, an important factor is people’s lack of awareness of the difference between whole fruits and juices. Overall, this myth is an example of a misunderstanding of the importance of different products on human health.
Reference
Muraki, I., Imamura, F., Manson, J. E., Hu, F. B., Willett, W. C., van Dam, R. M., & Sun, Q. (2013). Fruit consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: Results from three prospective longitudinal cohort studies. BMJ, 347, 1–15. Web.