&Quot;Food&Quot; &Quot;Diet&Quot;

Is there a homemade drinkable concoction that can cause penile enlargement? No, that's not true: There is not a mixture that can be made with ingredients found at home that can enlarge a penis, and the post making the claim does not provide a recipe for such. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any homemade penile enlargement…

Are proteins not real, and thus not an essential part of the human diet? No, that's not true: Humans need to consume protein regularly to survive, whether through the consumption of plants, animal products or protein supplements, a dietician told Lead Stories. Nearly every part of the human body -- from hair and nails to bones, organs and muscle --…

Is the sticky, gooey mucus produced by the body "the underlying cause" of all human disease? No, that's not true: Mucus plays an important and protective role in the body's immune system, filtering out harmful irritants, allergens and pathogens to keep people healthy, not to make them sick. In addition, the claim about the dangers of mucus comes from a…

Is ingesting Borax a reliable treatment for parasites that can yield "good results"? No, that's not true: Borax, which is often used as a cleaning product, can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested or inhaled. In higher doses, it can cause organ damage. It is banned as a food additive by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recommending the use…

Is chicken "poison" and not fit for human consumption? No, that's not true: There is no evidence that chicken meat is poisonous. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) all write on their websites that chicken is fine to eat and in no way poisonous to the human…

Can illness caused by milk be identified simply by looking at one's iris without medical equipment? No, that's not true: Iridology -- a theory that a person's iris can tell about their medical conditions -- has long been proven unfounded, and there is no scientific consensus that pasteurized milk may be harmful. The claim appeared in a video published on…

Is a Parmesan cheese flavor additive toxic? No, that's not true: Two food science experts told Lead Stories it can be dangerous in large amounts because it contains butyric acid, but the amount of the acid allowed in Parmesan is no cause for alarm. Butyric acid naturally occurs in the body and aids in digestion. The claim, which appeared on…

Is food-grade canola oil toxic for humans since it "starts with the seeds of a rape plant"? No, that's not true: In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which sets food regulations, recognizes canola oil as safe for human consumption. Furthermore, a Tufts University nutrition scientist told Lead Stories that there is "no basis" for the claim…

Did Harry Hoxsey, an ex-convict who had no medical licensing, create an effective method for curing cancer using a family concoction made up of herbs plus diet? No, that's not true: This old claim has been debunked as ineffective and dangerous by credible health organizations since the 1950s. The claim appeared in a Facebook reel published on December 10, 2022.…

Does wearing socks that contain cut pieces of potato help children combat flu and cold symptoms by absorbing toxins from their bodies? No, that's not true: The American Academy of Pediatrics has rejected this claim as groundless. It's not on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's list of "authorized health claims" -- claims about the health benefits of food or…