Good or bad? Eggs, coffee, olive oil,...
Dr Murli Krishna Neelkantan, specialist interventional cardiologist, Prime Hospital, Dubai
“I think all studies on food groups need to be taken with a pinch of salt. As doctors, we know that only scientific studies done in control groups are standardised. The outcome of these studies are reported in reputed international medical journals. Studies are subjective as they are based on people. In the coffee experiment (see right), we would have people drinking coffee in different concentrations, different blends, their age groups might differ and there could be many more variables. “I usually tell my patients not to get too confused about foods. The key to food consumption is moderation. If a patient comes to me and asks me about virgin coconut oil, I encourage him to have a teaspoon each day. It is likely that those who may be food fried in coconut oil more than two to three times a week, will be disadvantaged, but a person having a teaspoon a day is not likely to be harmed. On the contrary, they might be able to derive its benefits. The same goes for soy, chocolate, egg, milk or meat. Food groups are not good or bad per se. It is how we consume them, in what quantities and proportions.”
