Of green apples and tomatoes

There was a time when I would simply read an article in a newspaper and believe it blindly. It started out small and simple: main headings and follow-up stories of elections, global warming or disasters. Unfortunately, I then moved on to less significant pieces of news such as the example I provided last time (about tomatoes and anti-ageing, remember?).

Believing the news isn't always wrong; some of the stories are quite enjoyable and make for interesting conversations. One of the first stories I read was about green apples. It was reported quite some time back that smelling green apples would help you lose weight. Imagine that! No need for exercise and controlled diets! Just buy a bushel of green apples and smell away!

Recently, I began to realise that not all we read/watch/hear is as it seems (not a moment too soon, eh?). I researched the Green Apple story and discovered several sites talking about aromatherapy and weight loss. But how much can you trust what you find on the Internet anyway? So, I used my trusty Google Scholar and found surprisingly few scientific articles on the benefits of sniffing them green apples. One paper caught my eye; possibly because it was the only one that was actually talking about apple odours and weight loss. I promptly clicked the link to the pdf and voila! A bunch of scientists studied the effects of sniffing odourants in about 3000 overweight volunteers. That seemed like a good enough sample size but I noticed that they mostly studied middle-aged females who were either unemployed or unskilled workers and who were separated from their husbands. I'm not sure that this would warrant credibility in the bigger scheme of things. Does sniffing green apples really help depressed women lose weight? Is there some other factor they might've missed that could cause the weight loss? Is there another fruit that could accelerate the weight loss in these women? Is a study conducted in 1995 still relevant today? Oh and just to make things clear, the study didn't mention what type of apples helped with the weight loss (for interested nuts, here's the link: http://www.aromapatch.org/Hirsch_Weight_Loss_Smell.pdf).

And now for the tomatoes and anti-ageing story. I don't think the actual study has been published yet because I couldn't find it :P I did find some e-zine articles though and they mostly talked about a study conducted in 10 volunteers. I didn't have to read further. I'm pretty sure 10 volunteers do not represent the world population and so this story can't gain any significant relevance unless a larger study is organised and executed (Linky for you nuts: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7370759.stm).

Of course, it is possible that sniffing green apples will really help us lose weight or eating more tomato-based dishes will certainly keep our skin firmer for longer (no wrinkles till you're 70! Imagine that!) but can we just read a story and believe it blindly? I think not. Sometimes results are exaggerated, samples don't represent a population well enough, or opposing factors are conveniently ignored. Having said that, I must acknowledge that research is not easy and props to the scientists who've managed to prove a point by painstakingly working at it. In a bid to be the best there is right now and to be popular at the same time, like their mentor Newton or whoever, some scientists just spend a lot of time chasing cars...or worse, falsely proving they caught up with one. As Sherlock Holmes once said, "It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts." [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, A Scandal in Bohemia]

For next week: You must've already seen the poll I put up...but I ask again, do you believe in God?

And so it begins...

Right. I signed up for this thing at least two years ago and I present my first post today. It's a historic event, I'm sure. I am a procrastinator. I am also lazy. So I think its about time, don't you? Oh yes, I've decided to involve you as much as I can. Makes it seem less obvious that I'm actually just ranting my head off and forcing you to read said rant.

This first one's going to be short, though. I think its appropriate to explain the name here and then direct new "fans" to this post when they are feeling inquisitive.

Let me make things clear right now. I have not changed drastically so the new groove really doesn't mean I was enlightened in '06 and I processed my gifts for two years before I came up with this brilliant piece. Its really almost simple: I love Cap'n Jack Sparrow and The Emperor's New Groove. JS is simply one of the most amazing characters ever and tENG is a masterpiece. Note that I said "almost simple". The name also has a slightly deeper meaning, which I won't reveal just yet. Got to maintain some sense of mystery about this thing. How else am I to keep getting you (yes, you!) to read my blog? Of course, its possible I'm not telling because there is no deeper meaning but I shall leave you to ponder on that =)

Before I leave for now, I want to thank Shaahima, Judy and Janice. If it weren't for them I don't think I'd have resuscitated this blog. Oh I've also got a question for you:

Do you believe every scientific thing you read? To clarify: if you read in a newspaper or magazine that tomatoes could stop you from growing old too fast, would you believe it? Be honest, now!