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Fit Girl: Something to Wine About

Friday, January 20, 2012

	In Other News: Susan Wright: Inspiring us all at Gainesville Health and Fitness Wednesday, February 22, 2012 X-Force Blog, Tuesday 7:00am Tuesday, February 21, 2012

 
Odds are there’s someone in your life consistently ready with the “I told you so!” response.
 
If you’re a wine drinker for its health benefits, be prepared for that statement.
 
It seems that research touting the numerous health benefits of red wine has been faked.
 
Not just wrong, but completely falsified from the get go.
 
The University of Connecticut says its famed researcher Dipak K. Das faked over 100 data points that showed resveratrol in red wine had anti-aging benefits.
 
The nutrient is found in plants such as grapes and is purported to have cardiovascular benefits, as well.
 
It turns out that red wine isn’t as healthy as researchers and corporations wanted us to believe. While research is still being conducted on the nutrient, it seems red wine’s “benefits” have been completely fabricated.
 
Rather than get on a health-and-fitness soap box boasting that “I told you so” attitude, I’d like to let this situation serve as a warning for other “health” claims being made.
 
You know you can’t believe everything you hear (or read), but some things seem to be backed by study after study, making it difficult to decipher fact from hype— like red wine being the fountain of youth.
 
While many studies reflect accurate data, not all are performed objectively, honestly or thoroughly, and it can be quite dangerous for those who blindly follow the claims.
 
It’s important to know what you’re looking at when you see the latest “research.” The proof is in the scientific methods used.
 
Among the most reliable are “double blind” studies with independently funded research; large, varied sample sizes; and long study durations.
 
Examine how the data is analyzed, as well.
 
The “coefficient of determination,” or “R²,” is the chief method of analysis for data. It’s a prediction of how the data would fall if future experiments were to be performed. Results are more reliable the closer the R² is to 1 or -1; that means the data is more likely to be repeated if another random sample was taken. A value of “0” means the data has no chance of ever being repeated.
 
I haven’t looked over the 60,000-page document quantifying Professor Das’ research, so I honestly couldn’t tell you how his studies measured up to the reliability factors described above. (The document was kind of lengthy for the purposes of this blog.)
 
I also don’t know how many started guzzling bottles of red wine a day just because Das said it was healthy.
 
There are, however, a great number of “studies” on the market supporting health claims that, upon further investigation, have little to no scientific merit. Oftentimes, the products aren’t just worthless but dangerous.
 
There are also perfectly safe products out there that get a bad rap because of one or two poorly performed studies.
 
The ads make them difficult to spot, with “doctors” and “fitness professionals” throwing in their two cents. But data rarely lies. It’s important to remember that the health and fitness industry is a business like any other, and some will make claims with the interests of pocketbooks rather than consumers’ well being.
 
That’s why it’s important to do a little legwork on your own.
 
A little bit of homework ahead of time can save you time, money and even your health, not to mention the chiding, “I told you so.”

© 2012 Gainesville Health & Fitness Center, Inc., All Rights Reserved.