On the scientific basis, a couple of words

1996/05/01 Lorenzo, Arantza | Uranga, Ane Miren Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Dietetika/Elikagaiak

Throughout history there has always been a concern for dietetics and food in general. For example, the philosopher Socrates said thus in his writing: “Keep in mind the foods you can eat without hunger and the drinks you can drink without thirst.” On the other hand, knowledge such as Hipocrates or Galena related the ability of certain foods to health, but scientific research on these issues was not the XVIII. Start until the 20th century.

In 1780 the French researcher Lavoisier carried out the first studies on the energy that food provides to the human body, demonstrating that the respiratory and combustion processes that occur inside the cell are similar. In 1900 Blum spoke for the first time about essential amino acids, which were an important component of proteins. These were, therefore, the findings that began the scientific study of food and, together with subsequent trials, a better knowledge of the components of food, of caloric and nutritional needs has been achieved.

But research continues. In recent years a multitude of topics have been discussed in depth and much information has been received, but there are still many issues to be addressed. We know better the process of food, but there are still many rites, myths and symbols that surround food; today it is difficult to keep away from these esames and they all manifest remarkably in this time. For example, if we want to lose weight we have to eat fruit, that bread fattens... We have heard it a thousand times and in the mouth of anyone. Does all this have a scientific basis?

As it is a basic activity, human beings have important deficiencies in relation to food, and we consider that one of them is fundamental: education in food, good habits, habits that help us improve our quality of life.

As far as possible we will try to increase these shortcomings. First, we will review the scientific fundamentals on dietetics and food, and then on this page, we will give general advice so that everyone gets a balance that is not met so easily than mentioning so often in their home.

Brief

• Summer course organized by the University of the Basque Country. From 19 to 22 August. J. Directed by D. Alfredo Martínez. It will present the latest knowledge on obesity and the appropriate remedies to deal with a widespread disease.
• It is known as OLESTRA, a new type of fat that is expected to be marketed in the United States. As our intestines cannot absorb, does not get fat, but once ingested, the person notices a series of symptoms: wind, diarrhea, abdominal pain, restlessness… After that there are many economic interests, so some food producers in this territory want to use them to prepare fries and other foods, even though the sages of food are against.