Cheerios vs. LDLs - THE TRUTH
May. 18th, 2009 01:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wwcitizenWhen I worked at Pfizer, the FDA shot down so many adverts within 3 years about Viagra, it was ludicrous. There were other ads, too, that the FDA had Pfizer reformat. Companies are ALWAYS trying to better their products, even when they suck or there "have been studies to prove" whatever claims they're making. In fact, the other day Olay showed a doctor describing clinical studies on a wrinkle-reduction product, with his credentials proudly displayed below his name. The very next screen had a disclaimer under two or three women TALKING about how beneficial "the" product was; the disclaimer stated, "The claims this woman is making are not about the product in this ad." Matt and I looked at each other and our mouths dropped. How can they do that? Blatantly LIE about their product - in front of consumers. It's because people don't always look at the TV, don't always listen closely, or don't ask follow up questions like, "Really? Does that really work?" Check this out about Cheerios from a Men's Health e-mail alert on 5/15/09:
"JUST HOW GOOD ARE CHEERIOS, ANYWAY?
The FDA questions the cereals' health claims
If you’re eating Cheerios because you thought they were good for you, you’re only part right. But you could also be a sucker.
This week, the FDA warned General Mills about its claim that the cereal is “clinically proven to help lower cholesterol 4 percent in 6 weeks.” It refers to a clinical study conducted in 1998 in which people who ate 3 cups of Cheerios a day lowered their LDL (bad) cholesterol by 7 points.
The FDA said a product has to be approved as a drug before manufacturers can make such specific health-related claims.
MH has always thought the cereal’s claim was a little flawed—our Fitness Insider, Adam Campbell, wrote about this in January of last year. First of all, the folks ate 3 cups of Cheerios a day. You’d probably have to drown in O’s to see any difference. And it’s no certainty that a 7-point drop in LDL is even significant.
That said, Cheerios is a good choice, as breakfast cereals go. It is low in sugar (only 1 gram), contains a mere 2 grams of fat, and has 3 grams of fiber per serving. Anything made from whole oats is not bad.
Whether you eat Cheerios, eggs, or yogurt with granola, make sure you eat breakfast every morning, and make sure it includes some protein. Studies show breakfast eaters eat fewer calories throughout the day and are sharper and more alert."
"JUST HOW GOOD ARE CHEERIOS, ANYWAY?
The FDA questions the cereals' health claims
If you’re eating Cheerios because you thought they were good for you, you’re only part right. But you could also be a sucker.
This week, the FDA warned General Mills about its claim that the cereal is “clinically proven to help lower cholesterol 4 percent in 6 weeks.” It refers to a clinical study conducted in 1998 in which people who ate 3 cups of Cheerios a day lowered their LDL (bad) cholesterol by 7 points.
The FDA said a product has to be approved as a drug before manufacturers can make such specific health-related claims.
MH has always thought the cereal’s claim was a little flawed—our Fitness Insider, Adam Campbell, wrote about this in January of last year. First of all, the folks ate 3 cups of Cheerios a day. You’d probably have to drown in O’s to see any difference. And it’s no certainty that a 7-point drop in LDL is even significant.
That said, Cheerios is a good choice, as breakfast cereals go. It is low in sugar (only 1 gram), contains a mere 2 grams of fat, and has 3 grams of fiber per serving. Anything made from whole oats is not bad.
Whether you eat Cheerios, eggs, or yogurt with granola, make sure you eat breakfast every morning, and make sure it includes some protein. Studies show breakfast eaters eat fewer calories throughout the day and are sharper and more alert."
