Fruit myths

Contrary to popular belief, application of chemical substances, such as pesticides or fertilizers, in food production is not as harmful as rumors and urban myths would seem to indicate. Pesticides eliminate pests that would otherwise be a frequent cause of poisoning of grains, vegetables, and fruit due to the toxic products of their metabolisms. Chemically synthesized fertilizers are more easily detectable in food than their natural substitutes, which facilitates their adoption for use on food products (Moghissi 1998). 

No wonder the Communists paid attention when young Trofim Lysenko declared that the genetics of Mendel s peas and Morgan s fruit flies was incorrect and simply a capitalist plot to exploit the peasants and working class. Lysenko believed that environmental factors determined the performance of plants and that acquired characteristics could be inherited. Having unmasked the evil Western myth of gene-based inheritance, Lysenko promised almost instant improvements in agricultural production. 

By my definition, superfruits should be all about sustaining regular healthy intake of nutrients from wholefoods, not processed, blended, and diluted juices—a definition that maybe surprising to you. Did you know that most of the juices that stimulated the concept of superfruits are highly processed so that there is little left in them except color and taste They are marketed on myths of ancient uses for unproved health benefits, not on the nutrient value of the natural fruit that this book emphasizes. 

All protein foods are acidic. We tend to think that meat is the only source of protein. Ask any vegetarian how many times they ve been asked, Where do you get your protein and you ll know how deeply embedded this myth is. All fruits and vegetables contain protein, as do grains, beans, and other foods. Almost all animal protein is acidic, but many vegetarian sources of protein are alkaline. 

Mena P, Giron s-Vilaplana A, Moreno DA, Garcia-Viguera C. Pomegranate fruit for health promotion myths and realities. Fund Plant Sci Biotechnol. 2011 5 33-42. 

Morris S, Humphreys D, Reynolds D. Myth, marula, and elephant an assessment of voluntary ethanol intoxication of the African elephant Loxodonta africand) following feeding on the fruit of the marula tree (Sderocarya birred). Physiol Biochem Zool. 2006 79 363-369. 

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