'Supplements have no health benefits, eat real food' says UK scientist

30 May,2023 01:06 PM IST |  London  |  IANS

The scientist also vouched for a predominantly plant-based diet with minimal, if any, ultra processed food

Image for representational purposes only. Photo Courtesy: iStock


Ditch those health supplements as they have no health benefits, and are simply a money-making scheme by drug companies, according to a top UK scientist.

Professor Tim Spector, a genetic epidemiology expert at King's College London, said people should instead eat 'real food', Daily Mail reported.

He also vouched for a predominantly plant-based diet with minimal, if any, ultra processed food. Spector said a majority of the supplements are made in Chinese factories and research has shown that they do not work at all.

"These supplements are driven by the same companies... they're going to be the new future giant food companies," Spector was quoted as saying.

"Their budgets are massive. They're not these artisan little people in the back of a shed in Somerset making a superb organic supplement. They're all made in massive factories in China and you have no control [over] what it is - and 99 per cent of them have been shown not to work at all.

"So we're total mugs paying all that money for supplements when we should be spending it on real food," the scientist said.

He added that the only supplement with any benefit is B12 for vegans who are not eating as many iron-rich foods as they should.

Spector said while it is "impossible to do away with all the unhealthy foods completely", people must be educated on how to identify them.

He said real food "could massively increase the life expectancy of the poor and our health span".

Spector also said that switching to a plant-based diet will prove beneficial for the planet, claiming that giving up meat is more effective than not driving and not taking flights for holidays abroad, the report said.

Also Read: Cancer surgeon warns against smoking, here's how to detect oral cancer early

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
health life and style Lifestyle news Health And Wellness Hello Health
Related Stories