LET THEM EAT CAKE? NOT IN THE OFFICE!

Norajohnson Breakingviews

THERE are always zillions of press articles trying to debunk commonly­held views about which foods are bad for us. Salt in your diet causes high blood pressure. Carbohydrates and red meat are bad. Dairy products fattening. Brown bread better than white. And everyone needs tons of protein.

Each ‘report’ producing more waffle than a Belgian baker. Dark chocolate, coffee, red wine ­ good for you because they have antioxidants which neutralise the free radicals in your body. Next week, hang on! That earlier study was flawed, they’re actually bad for you: too much sugar (like in cakes. Remember ‘Cakegate’?) Next month, they’re good for you again; they contain a newlyidentified chemical that reacts with an amino acid/enzyme/protein in such a way that scientists are only now starting to comprehend. And next month, sorry! Those findings were overhasty; they’re still bad for you. Frankly, practically everything that feels good or tastes good is probably finally going to somehow make you ill anyway.

Trouble is, this ‘research’ can mean differ­