From the author of Identically Different comes a new look at nutritional health, showing us that breakthrough research on microbiomes—the microbes in our stomachs—could hold the key to healthy, balanced diets.
What should we eat? It’s a simple and fundamental question that still bewilders us, despite a seemingly infinite amount of available information on which foods are best for our bodies. Scientists, dieticians, and even governments regularly publish research on the dangers of too much fat and sugar, as well as on the benefits of exercise, and yet the global obesity crisis is only worsening. Most diet plans prove to be only short-term solutions, and few strategies work for everyone. Why can one person eat a certain meal and gain weight while another eating the same meal drops pounds? Part of the truth lies in genetics, but more and more scientists are finding that the answer isn’t so much what we put into our stomachs but rather the essential digestive microbes already in them.
Drawing on the latest science and pioneering research, The Diet Myth explores the hidden world of the microbiome and demystifies the common misconceptions about fat, calories, vitamins, and nutrients. Dr. Tim Spector shows us that only by understanding what makes our own personal microbes tick and interact can we overcome the confusion of modern nutrition, allowing us to regain natural balance in our bodies. Mixing cutting-edge discoveries, illuminating science, and his own case studies, Spector reveals why we should abandon fads and instead embrace diversity for a balanced diet, a healthy stomach, and a nourished body.
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“In The Diet Myth…the genetic epidemiologist Tim Spector describes how gut microbes interact with genes and diet. The book is structured as a takedown of diet myths, but it’s much more than a self-help advice book. It’s witty, well-written, and broad-ranging, littered with fascinating factoids and case studies. Spector thoughtfully explains the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence, drawing on research on gut microbes as well as his long-running studies on the genetics of twins and his own often hilarious experiments with various diets.”
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New York Times Book Review