The release of the latest Dietary recommendations from the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) there is a lot to tell. A lot of people have started criticizing them by giving them political connotations because the agency in question is simply dependent on the agency Ministry of Consumption. However, the truth is that everything shown is based on the latest scientific studies on nutrition. Nevertheless, some of the criticism even comes from scientists like Dr. Conchita Vidalesa doctor specializing in nutrition who, in an interview on Telecinco, assured that the ministry should “devote itself to its own” and let the professionals “who know what they are talking about” have their say.
After this clear positioning against the new nutritional recommendations, he makes several affirmations, like this one lenses They should always be taken with rice so that nothing happens because it is not integral and that the proteins of animal origin are better absorbed.
His statements have caused a great stir excitement on social media, divided them into two teams as usual. On the one hand there are people, mostly without any scientific training, who are dissatisfied with the work of the government. And on the other hand, a multitude of nutritionists and other scientists who affirm that Vidales’ statements correspond to the dietary recommendations of decades ago. Let’s see what the scientific reality is behind what matters.
Lentils with rice, the myth of dietary advice
Vidales’ first recommendation is based on something he previously said on the same TV show. He claims that lentils should be taken with rice because it doesn’t contain any all amino acids necessary.
To break this down, we must first understand what amino acids are. These are each blocks what proteins are made of. When protein is ingested, whether of animal or vegetable origin, it is broken down into these brick, which are then used to build new proteins. So it’s important to have the 20 different types of amino acids that exist, as that way we can build any protein with them.
Does what the nutritionist says make sense then? The truth is that no. And it’s like we wouldn’t have eaten just those lentils all day. We take several meals a day and the compendium of all will easily contain all the amino acids. When we say that a meal must be complete, we are not referring to having it all amino acids, but contain an adequate supply of different types of nutrients. Nutritional recommendations at this point are often based on the Harvard plate, according to which a serving should consist of half fruit and vegetables, one quarter whole grain and one quarter protein. All this additionally accompanied by sufficient healthy fats.
Why are whole grains better?
The nutritional recommendations just published remind us of what we already know: grains, that is preferably integer.
Vidales, on the other hand, points out that it would not be necessary to accompany the lenses, since these are already provided enough fiber. But the recommendation to eat whole grains isn’t just based on fiber. Logically, we need a sufficient amount of it. But the simple fact of eating grains that aren’t whole grains also brings harm.
To understand it, we need to know the differences. In whole grain products, the components of complete seed. That is, they contain all three layers, known as Germ, endosperm and bran. However, refined whole grains only have the endosperm. Fiber, vitamins, minerals and lipids are in the remaining layers because the endosperm is practically pure Strength. This is a macromolecule that breaks down into many glucose subunits and here the problem begins.
When blood glucose levels rise, the hormone insulin must be released so that the cells can use it for energy. However, when these values are too high, two things happen. Firstly, that the accumulated glucose is running out store as fat. On the other hand, every time more insulin is needed. Those insulin spikes can lead to diabetes, so it’s not a game.
Perhaps the fiber in the lentils could help assimilate some of that excess glucose from the rice. However, it wouldn’t be enough, and we supposedly got rice to complete the lentils, not the other way around.
Nutritional recommendations for plant and animal protein
Finally, Vidales criticizes that the government’s dietary recommendations attach more importance to this vegetable protein than to the animal. In their opinion, the latter is much better absorbed by our body.
But it’s not about what is absorbed better or worse, but what is healthier for the body. And here, with good methodological design, the studies published in recent years agree that replacing part of the animal protein with vegetable protein increases life expectancy. None of them indicate poor assimilation of these proteins, which are also a lot healthier.
Exactly for this reason in the nutritional recommendations of AESAN Vegetable protein has priority. Although the animal is of course not forbidden.
Detox shakes have no scientific evidence
In addition to collaborating on television programs, Conchita Vidales has quite an extensive resume. She is the head of nutrition for the Lopez Ibor Clinic, from Madrid. In addition, he disseminates nutrition in various formats and is a member of the Spanish Society of Dietetics and Nutrition and the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine, among others.
It is also one of the Spanish Society of Mesotherapy. This is a traditional medicine technique openly considered pseudo-therapy and even discouraged by the Consumer Organization (OCU).
On the other hand, she is the medical director of Drink6, a company dedicated to the topic Sale of detox juicesAs the name suggests, it serves to remove toxins from the body.
It should be noted that a toxin is defined as a toxic substance produced by living cells of animals, plants, bacteria or other biological organisms. Therefore, our body does not have to eliminate toxins, because in that case we would be poisoned and we would need much more than a juice. In addition, in this case we have organs such as the liver and kidneys whose job is precisely to detoxify.
For this reason, the consumption of detox juices or smoothies does not enjoy a good reputation in science communication. Basically because there is no scientific evidence for it.
Yes, there are the latest nutritional recommendations from AESAN. The vast majority of nutritionists are in favor of what’s exposed, as it’s not just about the benefit to our bodies. Also for the planet. At this point it is more than necessary.
