Broccoli fights cancer, sugar is poison, and drinking clay cleanses your body: scientists can barely compete with this kind of dietary hysteria, yet they are now going to learn how to better defend themselves.
The Netherlands Academy of Nutritional Sciences (NAV), in collaboration with the Nutrition Centre, is organizing workshops where scientists are taught how to convey their message concisely and engagingly. At Wageningen University, experienced professors will brief young researchers on the emotions evoked by the nutrition debate and the best way to engage with (social) media.
A strong counter-voice is of great importance in the cacophony surrounding food, say nutrition scientists. Manufacturers wanting to enter the market with immunity-boosting yogurt or breast-enlarging grain extracts must submit extensive dossiers containing evidence, but anyone claiming in a blog or book that milk acidifies your body and that you can get asthma from the sandwich in your lunchbox is allowed to act with impunity. 'Anyone is allowed to spout nonsense about nutrition without knowledge or training,' says Joline Beulens, chair of the NAV. 'Consumers then have to assess for themselves whether the information is correct, but they are completely incapable of doing so.'‘
Source: De Volkskrant July 7
About Kitty Atsma
Kitty is a passionate nutrition specialist and vitality coach with a broad scientific basis in nutrition and exercise. As a member of the national examination committee of the TCI (Nutrition Specialist & GWC), she monitors the quality of the field at the highest level. As a professional blogger, Kitty combines her in-depth expertise with the possibilities of AI to make complex health topics accessible. She curates and controls the technology to get to the heart of the matter, where her own vision and years of practical experience always determine the course.
Nutrition Specialist Teacher | BGN Weight Consultant | Member TCI Examination Board | Vitality coach
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