The idea of science is that it gives us impartial answers to important questions. Doctors and patients can look at scientific evidence to help them decide what a healthy diet is, or whether a drug can treat a particular condition. Scientific journals take care to publish detailed reports of research, allowing readers to see for themselves that the studies were unbiased.
Even so, sometimes you can’t help but wonder about whose interests are served by research. Earlier this year, research from the University of Illinois reported that a high-protein diet helped improve cholesterol levels and reduce body fat. Funding came partly from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
An organization called the CRA publicized research showing that there’s “no meaningful difference in how the body metabolizes table sugar and high fructose corn syrup”. CRA stands for the Corn Refiners Association.
And in the UK, TV chefs were criticized for promoting recipes with too much butter and cream. The criticism came from the Margarine and Spreads Association.
I’m not saying that these claims are wrong, but we’d be naive not to look extra carefully at claims made by people with a vested interest.
An article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) points out that, in every trial of anti-inflammatory painkillers, the sponsoring company’s drug came out better than or equal to the comparison drug. Surely the drugs can’t all be better than each other?
Scientific journals work hard to be transparent about conflicts of interest, and usually give information about how studies were funded, and whether the researchers were employed by the sponsor. These things aren’t a cause for alarm – a good study is a good study regardless of who paid for it – but being open about conflicts of interest is part of the process by which we can trust scientific evidence.
And just so you know, chewing gum can help reduce cravings for sugary snacks. At least, that’s what the Wrigley Science Institute told me.
What you need to know. The ability to make informed decisions about health depends on getting good-quality information and advice. Seek out the best sources you can if you face a big decision about your healthcare.
—Philip Wilson, patient editor, BMJ Group
ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you should use.
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