Plant magic

Like many, I have at least a casual interest in the claimed (and sometimes proven) health benefits of plants.

But, what I don't understand is, how come the more devout advocates of health given herbs and fruit and nuts etc don't live forever, looking eternally 21 years old and super fit.

If you read some articles about various plants, they cure or prevent serious diseases, they aid weight loss, rejuvenate the liver, make the skin super vibrant, reverse cardiovascular degradation, regulate blood pressure, boost immunity, boost brain function, generate energy, heal injury, etc etc ad infinitum.

I'm not suggesting for a second that none of it is true, but I do wonder how some articles are considered credible in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

 

Boswelox is a good word.

@FC, I send big friendly man-hugs your way to rectify your feeling that you have little to look forward to. I feel like that quite often. You could always create something to look forward to. For me, while I patiently waiting for my general mojo to return, I count on my goal of being awarded a black belt at my martial arts club to look forward to. In fact very recently, I've been starting to have thoughts of setting up my own club when I reach the required level. Perhaps you could find something that similarly inspires you.

 

That's excellent FC. Best of luck with it.

And while I have absolutely no doubt you know what you're doing, both in terms of the project planning and management, and the technical nitty gritty of software dev, that's what I do, so if ever you need to bounce ideas or challenges of a fellow techy, feel free to give me a shout.

 

Maybe it's because they are promoted as "beneficial" and not the elixir of life?

Looking at how life expectancy has altered over the past century, I'd say they have proved beneficial for many

 

I can confirm they don't work.

 

Indeed, many advocates use terms like 'beneficial' and 'may'. That's fair enough. I don't doubt that many plant based foods offer various health benefits. It's just that while some articles will explain that such and such a plant contains lots of such and such a nutrient that is believed to support such and such, many (probably more) articles make such bold claims they're almost saying that centuries of scientific research count for nothing, and you never need any kind of medicine, you just have to eat this particular fruit.

Some advocates do actually refer to conventional science, but twist It, and I don't understand why because I don't believe they gain anything from it. To give an example, there are lots of claims that grapefruit aids weight loss. Often such articles refer to actual science that says there's a compound in them that does indeed work with the body to reduce fat storage. One actual scientist was on about this very point on tv a while ago. He figured that for an average adult to get enough of this weight loss compound to have an effect on the body, they'd need to eat 17 grapefruits for breakfast, but if they did, they'd be eating something like 2 kg of sugar.

 

No Shy Knee that is merely how old your back is making you *feel*; we all know you are a spring chicken of ...






























... 101

 

Nothing to do with medical advances, the reduction in smoking or the fact that we are generally more affluent and the general diet of larger numbers of people is better (as opposed to those who are out seeking the latest in vogue super-food)? Add to that the reduction of industrial related illnesses and widespread vaccination programs and I would be disappointed if we weren't living longer.

'Cos they lack a balanced diet?
I for one have a diet that is based around tomatoes, mushrooms, chilli, onions garlic and ginger which is apparently a really good base point. Out of season fruit is consumed prodigiously and when we're bad (lasagne, moussaka etc.) we try to be good and balance it out with a salad on the side. Despite eating prodigious quantities of cheese, far too much red meat (apparently) and being a smoker I've just sailed through my MOT

 

We have to think back to the centuries leading up to pharmaceutical companies. Plants have been used for hundreds of years to treat medical conditions. Okay, some of them had dire consequences but the majority worked for the ailment they were treating.

I heard something new today. Pineapple juice will ease a hacking cough, my daughter-in-law proved it in the early hours of this morning.

Unfortunately my body objects to most modern medicine so I have to look for natural remedies for my health issues. I also control some ongoing issues with diet.

Longk is right, with a balanced diet the body should stay on a fairly even keel. It's been said the years through World War 2 were probably one of the healthiest eras. Why? Because during rationing the nation had to grow a lot of their own food, animal or vegetable.

 

I'm not for one second doubting the claims that many plant based foods offer health benefits, and some are positively medicinal. In fact I try to look after myself and my family, in part via healthy diet, and I will tweak that diet on occasion to help speed recovery from ailment or injury or to positively alter mood, or prepare us for an unusually physically demanding time such as our quarterly seminar and testing day at our martial arts club. I have a reasonable knowledge of what runs out fastest in given circumstances, and what foods provide the fastest release of the highest quantities of things our bodies need.

But, working with nature to support one's self nutritionally is one thing. It seems however that the world , or at least the internet, is rapidly filling up with charlatans that exaggerate potential benefits to a completely implausible magical level. I sometimes wonder if such authors own shares in Holland and Barrett.