There has been a rising interest in diets and their role as contributors in various diseases and obesity. A number of diet books in the market guide individuals and families on healthy eating patterns and foods. A number of these books have also made it to the New York Times Advice Best Seller list.

However, the validity of the claims in these diet books remains unknown. An article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine attempts to assess the quality of nutrition related facts in one of the best selling books - South Beach Diet.

The authors selected 42 nutrition facts from this book and compared them in peer reviewed literature as a quality control measure. The results of this study are:-

1. Supported facts - 33%
2. Not supported - 17%
3. Controversial facts - 43%
4. No related papers - 7%

It was also stated that the diet has been “scientifically studied and proven effective.”

The findings of this study shockingly reveal that 67% of the nutrition facts in this bestseller diet book may not be supported in peer reviewed literature.

Now the question that needs to be answered is - From where should people get information on healthy diets as most peer reviewed articles are either inaccessible or too complicated?

References - Journal of General Internal Medicine

“The South Beach Diet : The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss” (Arthur Agatston)

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