The US makes terrible food

Quote from: Tausami on March 18, 2012, 04:06:58 PM

Quote from: ﮎingulaЯiτy on March 18, 2012, 04:02:37 PM

Quote from: Tausami on March 18, 2012, 03:55:47 PM

And the studies are inconclusive.

...
Yeah, screw positive correlations derived under control test environments.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/nitrate_nitrite/index-eng.php

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Epidemiological evidence linking intake of nitrite and nitrate with gastric cancer in humans has been equivocal, with some studies indicating a positive correlation34,35 and others showing no such association

I'm not entirely satisfied with how these diverse studies are being mixed to form one big non-conclusion. When all variables (including body chemistry) are held equal, results should be consistent. When half of them render a strong positive correlation, and the others show no correlation, it makes me think that the studies cover different scopes and use different procedures and variables. For instance, what specific nitrates compounds were under examination? I see that the two tests relied on swabbing saliva to determine diets, and others didn't differentiate between naturally occurring from vegetables nitrates and artificial preservative nitrates.

One rule I have yet to see violated is that naturally occurring influences are lower risk than the artificial replacements for them; Be they supplement pills to vegetables, or tanning beds to natural sunlight.

I don't think we really have to worry.

And again, depending on where you live you may be getting more nitrates from your tap than you would be from hot dogs.

Quote from: Tausami on March 18, 2012, 04:39:39 PM

I don't think we really have to worry.

Lot's of people don't worry and they turn out fine; I'm not trying to tell you or anyone else what the 'right' diet is. I just have a tendency to be aware of known or likely contributing factors, so I can minimizing my own health risks. But health risks are always a personal decision. As it is I don't barbecue, and if I did I don't drink alcohol.

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Fair enough. Worrying about chemicals is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, even when it's a fairly rational worry. I think it has something to do with how many people in this country don't know what a chemical is and think that they're inherently dangerous.

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And again, depending on where you live you may be getting more nitrates from your tap than you would be from hot dogs.

My water is exceptional.
The well water from my rural house is very clean already, but it goes through a UV water purifier and an adjusted reverse osmosis membrane system essentially as effective as the cellular membranes in my own body. As long as you account for minerals, you're set.

...And my parents wonder why I grew up to be OCD about germs, cleanliness, and general health. 

Wow. Nice setup. How's the hardness? I know a lot of well water has issues with that.

Quote from: ﮎingulaЯiτy on March 18, 2012, 04:29:24 PM

Quote from: Tausami on March 18, 2012, 04:06:58 PM

Quote from: ﮎingulaЯiτy on March 18, 2012, 04:02:37 PM

Quote from: Tausami on March 18, 2012, 03:55:47 PM

And the studies are inconclusive.

...
Yeah, screw positive correlations derived under control test environments.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/nitrate_nitrite/index-eng.php

Quote

Epidemiological evidence linking intake of nitrite and nitrate with gastric cancer in humans has been equivocal, with some studies indicating a positive correlation34,35 and others showing no such association

I'm not entirely satisfied with how these diverse studies are being mixed to form one big non-conclusion. When all variables (including body chemistry) are held equal, results should be consistent. When half of them render a strong positive correlation, and the others show no correlation, it makes me think that the studies cover different scopes and use different procedures and variables. For instance, what specific nitrates compounds were under examination? I see that the two tests relied on swabbing saliva to determine diets, and others didn't differentiate between naturally occurring from vegetables nitrates and artificial preservative nitrates.

One rule I have yet to see violated is that naturally occurring influences are lower risk than the artificial replacements for them; Be they supplement pills to vegetables, or tanning beds to natural sunlight.

It also mentions a study where they gave mice 3,000 mg of nitrates a day for a minimum of a year. The average human injests about 75 mg a day. I don't think we really have to worry. I generally find that when it comes to links between chemicals and cancer, equivocal translates to 'probably not'. And none of the studies actually found a large increase, as far as I can find. If you want to worry about carcinogens, stop eating anything barbecued. Or just eat more broccoli. And while you're fairly accurate about artificial vs natural, it's better as a rule of thumb than as a blanket law. I think it has something to do with your body's ability to absorb the nutrients.

And again, depending on where you live you may be getting more nitrates from your tap than you would be from hot dogs.

Wow. Nice setup. How's the hardness? I know a lot of well water has issues with that.

I have zero complaints with it, but I'm not sure if that's a function of the filters or the source. I've also heard complaints about sulfur smells, but that's not a problem either.

Quote from: ﮎingulaЯiτy on March 19, 2012, 08:50:57 PM

I have zero complaints with it, but I'm not sure if that's a function of the filters or the source. I've also heard complaints about sulfur smells, but that's not a problem either.

Just for clarification, are the complaints of sulfur smells about your water, or other people's who use wells?

I only eat fruits, I heard the fruits from the US are terrible.

Quote from: CheesusCrust on March 20, 2012, 02:31:20 AM

I only eat fruits, I heard the fruits from the US are terrible.

When you peel a U.S. grown orange, it is actually made of bacon.

Quote from: Irushwithscvs on March 20, 2012, 06:29:32 AM

Quote from: CheesusCrust on March 20, 2012, 02:31:20 AM

I only eat fruits, I heard the fruits from the US are terrible.

When you peel a U.S. grown orange, it is actually made of bacon.

Incorrect.  US grown oranges are made of chocolate.

American cheese sucks, but we do make more than just American cheese here.  Monterrey Jack, Colby, and Cheddar made here are good.

Fast food is awful.

Fast food isn't the healthiest food around, but it certainly doesn't "make" people fat. If you eat fast food quite a lot but stay active then your body will metabolize the food and not store it as fat. Furthermore if you show moderation in your fast food consumption (i.e. ordering a small/medium combo) then you won't take such a large hit to your weight. Obesity is caused by an all-round unhealthy lifestyle and can never be factored down to a single issue.