Hey, remember that recent "HFCS makes you stupid" study?

[laconicsax]

Last edited Mon Jun 18, 2012, 02:16 AM - Edit history (2)

Well, I finally got around to reading the actual study and what do you know--that isn't at all what the study says.

http://jp.physoc.org/content/590/10/2485.long

Turns out that the study was about the effects of metabolic dysfunction and whether Omega 3 fatty acids can counteract its effects.

You had two groups of rats with metabolic dysfunction: one which was fed n-3 fatty acids and one which wasn't. The n-3 group didn't experience the same cognitive and physical problems as the control group.

Where does HFCS enter into the picture? The rats were provided with a 15% fructose solution to drink.

So while the results of the study were that n-3 fatty acids can help return the body to metabolic homeostasis, we're all told by shrieking morons that the study proved that HFCS makes you stupid.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. HFCS? I have no idea what HCFS is.

[TheWraith]

6. High fructose corn syrup. nt

[Warren Stupidity]

7. That would be HFCS. So what the heck is HCFS?

[Silent3]

8. HCFS is the stuff...

...that makes you dyslexic.

[laconicsax]

9. Have you never had high-corn fructose syrup?

It's better than the name suggests.

[JoeyT]

2. The general rule appears to be

that there's an inverse correlation between the hysteria with which someone repeats the findings of a study and their actual understanding of that study. That same inverse correlation exists between the hysteria and willingness to be told what the study is actually about by people that bothered to go and read it.

I'm not even sure where people keep getting these articles with such a crap understanding of science. Probably somewhere like Infowars.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

3. LOL, I notice you posted in the Health group

Wonder if anyone there will make the connection?

[laconicsax]

5. I doubt it.

It's funny how people don't recognize a study they've already seen when it's actual methods and results are posted.

It's almost like science reporting is done by people with less understanding of what they're writing than your average creationist.

[skepticscott]

4. Apparently it's only

spouting conspiracy theories about HFCS that makes you stupid.

[Ron Obvious]

10. Well...

Well. it's certainly done a number on me and... Oh no, hang on, I was stupid to begin with.

As you were...