Can we trust science? For the last 20 years, some scientists have believed that ice-cream could be good for you — but they never told anyone what they found.
Proof of the pudding: ice-cream is healthy!
Can we trust science? For the last 20 years, some scientists have believed that ice-cream could be good for you - but they never told anyone what they found.
What's happening?
"Hmm," the doctor says to their patientSomebody being treated by a doctor. . "You need to change your dietThe foods you eat.. You should start eating ice-cream at least once a week."
Do you think this is something a doctor would say to their patient? Probably not. But maybe they should do!
A new article in an American newspaper, The Atlantic, discusses the idea that ice-cream could be good for you.
The writer, David Merritt Johns, came across a piece of work written in 2018 by a student at an American university. It said that people with diabetesA medical condition causing there to be too much sugar in the blood. who ate half a cup of ice-cream a day had a lower risk of heart trouble.
This went against the general belief that ice-cream is very unhealthy.
Another scientist had found the same thing in 2002. And in 2005, yet another scientist also found that ice cream could lower the riskThe chance or possibility of something bad happening. of diabetes - but instead, when they talked about their work, they only mentioned yoghurt.
Find out more
Johns thinks the scientists were probably worried that they did not yet have enough proofSomething that shows something else is true. - or that others would not believe them.
And many still say that it is important not to eat too much sugary ice cream.
Scientists often disagree on whether or not foods are good for you. Once, people were told not to eat more than two eggs a week. Now, you can have as many as you like.
Yes! Science is based on facts, not ideas or feelings. Scientists run tests and check each other's work before they tell the world, so what they say is normally true.
No! Often, we search for things that prove what we already think is true. Lots of "science" has turned out to be nonsense.
Can we trust science?
Keywords
Patient - Somebody being treated by a doctor.
Diet - The foods you eat.
Diabetes - A medical condition causing there to be too much sugar in the blood.
Risk - The chance or possibility of something bad happening.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.
Proof of the pudding: ice-cream is healthy!
Glossary
Patient - Somebody being treated by a doctor.
Diet - The foods you eat.
Diabetes - A medical condition causing there to be too much sugar in the blood.
Risk - The chance or possibility of something bad happening.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.