The problem with eating plants

PS

Paul Saladino1h 6m · 2022-10-11

Claims Made

138

Claims Supported

78

Support Rate

57%

Support rate

78 of 138 claims supported

78 supported60 partial / not

Claims from this content

115

Well SupportedThe Hadza people feed their children meat and fruit and generally do not eat vegetables, leaves, stems, or seeds unless necessary.Well SupportedIndividuals with thyroid issues may need to limit cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale.Well SupportedFruit is the least defended part of a plant, with lower levels of defense chemicals compared to stems and leaves, especially as it ripens.Well SupportedAdding 600 grams of fruits and vegetables per day to the diet of healthy non-smokers did not change markers of oxidative DNA damage or repair over 24 days.Well Supported

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A. Volkovreader

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Sweet pepper extract increases intestinal permeability.

Not SupportedSulforaphane is not considered net beneficial and may be net toxic.

Partially SupportedSome plant compounds can be detrimental to certain individuals.

Well SupportedPhytohemaglutinin, a lectin in beans, has been associated with food poisoning and causes leaky gut and dysbiosis in animal models.

Partially SupportedSpinach is high in oxalates, and autopsy studies show oxalate deposition in the thyroid of all individuals.

Well SupportedLectins found in nightshade plants, seeds, nuts, grains, and beans can disrupt gut flora balance.

Well SupportedThe majority of pesticides in the American diet are naturally produced by plants for self-defense.

Well SupportedAn animal-based diet, consisting of meat, organs, and the least toxic plant foods while excluding vegetables, is hypothesized to be beneficial for autoimmune disease.

Partially SupportedIf an individual is thriving in all aspects of health, there is no need to change their current dietary habits.

Well SupportedSpinach contains high levels of oxalates, which are the primary component of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Well SupportedConsuming protein from ruminants, combined with organs and least toxic plant foods like fruit, honey, or dairy, leads to thriving health.

Not SupportedIsothiocyanates like sulforaphane can inhibit iodine absorption at the thyroid level, which is not beneficial for humans.

Well SupportedPiperine in black pepper enhances the bioavailability of curcumin by inhibiting a liver detoxification enzyme.

Well SupportedPhytic acid in plant foods like legumes and whole grains binds to minerals such as zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium, reducing their absorption.

Well SupportedHerbivorous animals have adaptations to plant anti-nutrients, and overconsumption of certain plants can be harmful.

Well SupportedSollins in foods like parsnip and celery can increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light, potentially causing phototoxic injury.

Well SupportedIncreasing vegetable intake in overweight or obese postmenopausal women did not alter plasma carotenoids, oxidative stress, or inflammation.

Well SupportedOxalate deposition in breast tissue may be linked to cancer, and oxalate does not belong in the thyroid.

Well SupportedNightshades, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili peppers, are immunogenic and can increase gut permeability.

Well SupportedA diet of only meat and organs can provide clarity into food sensitivities and be helpful for autoimmune issues for some individuals.

Partially SupportedPiperine inhibits UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, the enzyme responsible for conjugating bilirubin.

Not SupportedThere is no strong evidence that eating vegetables provides benefits beyond those achieved by living a generally healthy lifestyle.

Partially SupportedPlants produce defense chemicals like thorns, hard shells, and toxic compounds as a co-evolutionary response to herbivory.

Well SupportedOxalates are a waste byproduct with no known dietary benefit that may inhibit nutrient absorption.

Not SupportedConsuming vegetables solely for vitamins and minerals is misguided, as these are better sourced from animal products and some fruits.

Partially SupportedPlants evolve to produce non-toxic pro-drugs that become toxic only after ingestion and metabolization by animal enzymes like CYP450.

Not SupportedEvidence from groups like the Hadza does not support the notion that hunter-gatherers ate large quantities of vegetables.

Partially SupportedConsuming nutrient-dense foods like meat and organs signals abundance to the body, promoting strength, celebration, and fertility.

Partially SupportedThere is a lack of robust observational studies comparing high-vegetable and low-vegetable populations.

Partially SupportedFruit is generally the least defended part of a plant, with lower levels of defense chemicals compared to stems and leaves, especially when ripe.

Not SupportedVegetables are not beneficial for all humans.

Partially SupportedWhite potatoes contain defense chemicals such as solanine and other alkaloids, as well as lectins.

Partially SupportedPotato lectin can activate basophils and mast cells, potentially contributing to atopic reactions like eczema, asthma, and allergies.

Partially SupportedPhytic acid in foods like oysters, beans, or tortillas abolishes zinc absorption.

Partially SupportedFor some animals, including potentially humans, linoleic acid in the diet signals hibernation, winter, fattening, and scarcity.

Partially SupportedConsuming meat with vegetables containing tannins may inhibit digestive enzymes and cause digestive issues.

Partially SupportedUnripe fruit may contain plant defense chemicals that decrease as the fruit ripens.

Partially SupportedMultiple studies show some benefit from fruit and fruit extracts.

Partially SupportedThe net benefit of plant compounds should be assessed considering both harms and risks, and whether they offer redundant benefits.

Partially SupportedThe assumption that plant defense chemicals are beneficial to humans has been prevalent in nutritional paradigms for the last 50-100 years.

Partially SupportedIn a hypothetical survival scenario, a hunter-gatherer would prioritize seasonal fruit, animals, or honey over bitter leaves.

Well SupportedIsothiocyanates significantly reduced the incidence and size of bladder tumors in rats when administered alongside a chemical carcinogen.

Partially SupportedApproximately half of 52 natural pesticides tested in high-dose animal cancer tests were found to be rodent carcinogens.

Partially SupportedOxalate has a carcinogenic effect when injected into mouse mammary fat pads, generating malignant fibrosarcoma-like tumors.

Partially SupportedIntermittent heat exposure, heat acclimation, cold exposure, exercise, sunlight, fasting, and occasional ketosis activate hormetic mechanisms in the human body without the need for plant chemicals.

Not SupportedBroccoli does not provide physiological benefits beyond those achievable through exercise, sauna, cold plunging, fasting, and sunlight.

Limited ResearchThe effects of many untested plant defense chemicals on humans are unknown.

Partially SupportedThe human body's inherent antioxidant defense mechanisms are sufficient to protect circulating mononuclear blood cells from reactive oxygen species.

Partially SupportedThe endogenous antioxidant mechanisms in most individuals eating a good diet are adequate and cannot be improved by adding more vegetables.

Not SupportedPlant defense chemicals do not have a clear hormetic effect in humans and their negative effects outweigh potential hormesis.

Not SupportedBlack pepper can cause mucosal micro-bleeding in the stomach and inhibits the body's ability to detoxify ingested substances.

Not SupportedDaily consumption of spinach is questionable due to its oxalate content, and animal foods like liver offer better nutrient sources.

Not SupportedPlant defense chemicals should be approached with caution.

Partially SupportedPlant defense chemicals are evolved by plants to protect themselves from consumption by insects and animals.

Partially SupportedConsuming more than five portions of fruit and vegetables per day versus less than two portions for 12 weeks resulted in no changes in any biomarkers.

Partially SupportedInterventional studies are needed to test the benefits of vegetables and the health effects of meat in the human diet.

Partially SupportedEliminating all vegetables from the diet resolved autoimmune symptoms for Sal Mastroplolo.

Partially SupportedImmunomilk is a grass-fed, grass-finished, regeneratively farmed colostrum rich in immunoglobulins and immune factors.

Partially SupportedFruits are the parts of plants that plants intend for animals to eat, often packaging seeds within them.

Partially SupportedPolyphenolic compounds can form insoluble complexes with macromolecules like proteins, reducing protein availability.

Partially SupportedDefense chemicals in plant leaves, stems, roots, and seeds can be problematic for humans.

Partially SupportedLectins in foods like beans may induce atypical proliferation of rectal mucosa, potentially leading to rectal cancers.

Partially SupportedOxalates are known to induce breast cancer in animal models by promoting the transformation of breast cells into tumor cells and expressing proto-oncogenes.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet of meat, organs, fruit, raw dairy, and honey is superior to a diet including vegetables.

Partially SupportedPhytic acid chelates minerals like magnesium, selenium, and zinc, decreasing their absorption.

Partially SupportedA diet including 250g of broccoli per day decreased plasma CRP and TNF-alpha.

Partially SupportedBitter leaves are a last resort food, only consumed if starving and if their non-toxicity is known, not a primary choice.

Partially SupportedA diet high in vegetables can cause problems for many humans because plant defense chemicals are not benign and do not have a clear hormetic effect.

Partially SupportedChildren may dislike vegetables because they are not optimal for them.

Partially SupportedPlant defense chemicals like lectins, isothiocyanates, polyphenols, tannins, nightshades, oxalates, and phytic acid can be problematic for humans and have side effects.

Partially SupportedLectins from beans, such as phytohemagglutinin in kidney beans, may move from the gut to the brain, accumulate in movement centers, and potentially cause Parkinson's-like behaviors.

Not SupportedThe overall evidence for the benefits of exclusively vegetable interventions is not clear, with some studies showing no benefits or even increases in inflammatory biomarkers.

Not SupportedObservational studies linking higher vegetable intake to better health outcomes are likely confounded by healthy user bias.

Partially SupportedPlant defense chemicals can be harmful to many people.

Partially SupportedAmericans consume approximately 1.5 grams of natural pesticides per person per day, which is 10,000 times more than synthetic pesticide residues.

Partially SupportedNightshade plants, including paprika and cayenne pepper, contain lectins that can damage the human gut.

Partially SupportedA garlic tablet (400mg garlic, 1mg allicin) decreased serum hs-CRP levels.

Partially SupportedImmunomilk contains IGF-1, which aids in recovery and muscle growth.

Partially SupportedImmunomilk can help with gut health, gut repair, and overall allergies.

Partially SupportedCorn, soybean, spinach, leaf, and tomato may have negative effects on the brain.

Partially SupportedSpinach may create neurological problems for humans due to oxalates.

Partially SupportedThere is no single ideal diet for every human, but general themes can help navigate nutritional choices, especially for those experiencing health issues.

Partially SupportedImmunomilk, a colostrum supplement, is claimed to reduce allergy symptoms and the need for medications like decongestants, corticosteroids, and antihistamines.

Partially SupportedSal Mastroplolo recovered from kidney failure, systemic vasculitis, and glomerulonephritis with dietary changes, including an animal-based diet with organ meats, fresh meat, fruit, honey, and raw dairy.

Not SupportedHigher intake of soy foods is associated with lower sperm concentration, particularly in men with higher intake levels and in overweight or obese men.

Not SupportedThere are concerns about curcumin hijacking the body's detoxification enzymatic system, questioning long-term health implications.

Not SupportedSoy isoflavonoids can negatively affect hormones and reduce sperm quality.

Partially SupportedCompounds derived from plants, like aspirin and digoxin, are used in Western medicine with acknowledgment of their side effects.

Not SupportedOxalates found in plants have no known dietary benefit and may inhibit the absorption of other minerals and nutrients.

Not SupportedMost nutritional experts focus only on the benefits of plant compounds and ignore attendant side effects.

Partially SupportedCalcium oxalate crystals were found in 79% of routine autopsies of human thyroids, appearing in childhood and increasing with age.

Partially SupportedIndividuals with antibody activity to dietary aquaporins may consider avoiding aquaporin-containing foods like spinach to prevent neurological tissue damage.

Partially SupportedExamining whether vegetables are serving an individual's health can be a beneficial step.

Partially SupportedVegetables are less palatable, bioavailable, and nutrient-containing than other foods and contain defense chemicals.

Not SupportedThe common advice to eat more vegetables for thriving and fiber is not universally applicable.

Not SupportedAquaporins found in foods like corn, soybeans, spinach, and tomatoes may share homology with human aquaporin-4 and could potentially cause neurological tissue damage.

Partially SupportedThe speaker takes Immunomilk after surfing to aid recovery.

Partially SupportedConsuming 1.5g doses of red and black pepper in meals can cause mucosal micro-bleeding in the stomach and gross bleeding in some individuals.

Partially SupportedLectins may be linked to Parkinson's disease and other neurological issues.

Partially SupportedEczema, asthma, atopic reactions, and allergies may be related to potato lectin.

Partially SupportedEliminating certain plant foods from the diet may alleviate neurological issues by addressing potential autoimmune effects.

Partially SupportedIncreased neurologic tissue antibody production is observed with a higher number of positive food aquaporins.

Partially SupportedSome plant defense compounds, like estragole and safrole, have shown clastogenic potential in cell culture studies.

Partially SupportedConsuming 600 grams of fruit and vegetables per day did not affect oxidative DNA damage and repair in healthy non-smokers.

Partially SupportedDoctors are aware that aspirin can cause stomach erosions or ulcers due to its effect on prostaglandins.

Partially SupportedA diet increasing vegetable intake with either linoleic or oleic acid had no effect on plasma ICAM or hs-CRP levels.

Partially SupportedInterventional studies demonstrating positive health outcomes from vegetable consumption are not numerous.

Not SupportedConsuming plant defense chemicals like goitrin and oxalates is harmful to humans.

Limited ResearchThe clastogenic potential of many plant defense chemicals, which may break DNA in cell culture, is not yet known to translate to real-life effects in humans.

Partially SupportedLeaky gut can cause autoimmunity, immunologic activation, and inflammation.

Partially SupportedDoctors are aware that excessive digitalis can be fatal by affecting sodium and potassium balance.