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

Is "Dr." Sebi correct that eating starch causes a buildup of calcium carbonate in the body? No, that's not true: Two registered dietician nutritionists told Lead Stories that starch does not have this effect. Calcium carbonate is a natural compound found in rocks, eggshells and snails, among other sources. McGill University has described Dr. Sebi's claims in general as "complete…

Do the ingredients black seed powder, organic honey and organic lemon cure any cancer? No, that's not true: A clinical dietician told Lead Stories that none of these foods are a cure for cancer. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spokesperson also told Lead Stories this regimen "has not been proven to cure cancer." The claim appeared in a post…

Does regularly consuming a cup of java or eating french fries increase the odds of developing cancer, thanks to the chemical acrylamide in the brew? No, that's not true: Acrylamide was first discovered in some cooked foods in 2002 and studies to this point have found no link between acrylamide and cancer, the National Cancer Institute reports. Medical experts have…

Do worms cause autism? No, that's not true: An expert told Lead Stories that there is "no scientific evidence" that supports the claim, made in a video on TikTok, that worms cause autism. There is no definitively known cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder, as of the publication of this fact check. Research has shown only that there are genetic and…

Did scientists warn that eggs are causing thousands of people to "suddenly" form blood clots? No, that's not true: The 2017 study by Cleveland Clinic researchers that is supposed to support this assertion makes no such connection. The medical center said, "The online article [making this claim] does not accurately represent the findings of our 2017 research." The claim appeared…

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…