Why can you take these three foods (even if you have been told no)

When you decide to follow a diet, there are a number of foods that are best not to get close to. Of course, the ideal is to maintain a diet plan that is not very restrictive to follow in the long term, but many of them share certain guidelines that we know perfectly: restrict sugar, exercise (both strength and cardio) and consume less than what we will burn.

As you probably know the theory, you probably know that, generally, nutritionists are not very fans of a particular trinity: bread, beer (alcohol in general) and coffee. Nevertheless, doctors and nutritionists Harry Ofgang and Erik Ofgang They seem to disagree with the official theory, and they have stated this in their book 'The Good Vices': "In recent years we have studied the possible health effects of many of the so-called vices," they say in a recent article of 'Medium', "when analyzing the existing medical literature we discover that in many cases these foods can not only be part of a healthy lifestyle, but when consume in moderation they can drive a healthier lifestyle. "

What then are the pros and cons of these foods?

Bread

CONS: It seems on many occasions the enemy to beat, and it is difficult for us as Spaniards since it is the basis of our food. The reason why many people decide to do without it is because many of them fats, sugars or other ingredients are added to improve its flavor Some people say that the integral has fewer calories and is healthier, but in reality both provide the same, and the only thing that differs is in the amount of fiber. Be that as it may, we hear on many occasions that it is the first thing to do without if we want to eat a healthy and balanced diet, what do Ofgang doctors say about this?

PROS: It is true that gluten-free bread is not healthy for people with celiac disease, but what if you have no problems? The Ofgang ensure that the integral is not the best idea: a study from the Harvard Medical School In 2017, he discovered that people who consumed lower levels of gluten were 15% more likely to develop heart disease. In the same way, another 2016 analysis published in 'BMJ' had similar results: those who took less quantities of whole foods were 18% less likely to die from cardiovascular problems. In addition, some studies suggest that bread is a food that barely has fat and that does not make you fat by itself as much as it is believed, the true caloric contribution is in what is accompanied with that bread (sauces, cheeses, sausages, pate, chocolates and a long etcetera).

Coffee

CONS: The truth is that it is a drink quite dear but with a mixed reputation. Caffeine is often related to heart disease, arrhythmia or tachycardia, and on more than one occasion we hear some news about its 'lethality', when a person dies from having too many drinks with caffeine. Further, we must not forget its addictive effect, And, of course, many people will tell you that it is not the best option to lose weight, especially if you are one of those who do not conceive it without a splash of milk and several tablespoons of sugar.

Bread is a food that barely has fat. Its true caloric intake is in what accompanies it (sauces, cheese, pate …)

PROS: However, a single coffee (without milk or sugar) contains only about 10 calories, something insignificant. And, as the Ofgang brothers explain, the evidence that suggests that coffee is unhealthy is unfounded. A series of studies published in the 70s and 80s linked it to higher rates of cancer and heart disease, but these studies they didn't include other unhealthy habits like smoking. Modern studies (specifically an article published by the American Heart Association) have reported that drinking coffee in moderation can improve cardiovascular health, decrease the risk of developing strokes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.

Beer (occasional)

CONS: Go ahead that alcohol is never beneficial to health, and that beer in particular is usually associated with the dreaded (and popular) 'beer barrigs'. About a third of the calories in a beer normal come from malt, a refined carbohydrate that fattens by itself and, even more, when it acts next to alcohol, with which it goes hand in hand. It is unlikely that a nutritionist will recommend drinking beer if you want to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle, although it will always be better than a sugary drink, of course.

PROS: Doctors point out that more than 100 studies show an inverse association between moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of heart attack, although, of course, other studies do not seem to agree. In fact, an important recent investigation published in 'The Lancet' concluded that drinking alcohol, even in moderate amounts is harmful to health. However, another study carried out by the University of Cambridge ensures that abstemies, compared with occasional drinkers, experience 30% more heart disease and strokes, and a 20% higher overall mortality rate. In addition, the research asks how in some European countries where more alcohol is consumed than in the United States, life expectancy is higher.

This does not mean that you have to start drinking alcohol or coffee while swallowing a loaf of bread. What the Olfgang brothers say with this is that "you don't need an investigation to realize that joy is something worth looking for. Having a coffee or a beer with a friend from time to time, biting a freshly baked baguette, are small joys that can improve the daily routine, which in the long term is also very important, "they conclude.