In the past few decades, the amount of research in different aspects has increased significantly due to the advancements in technology and global integration. Scientists from around the world are now able to collaborate and conduct studies far easier than before. However, at the same time, there have also been concerns regarding the safety and reliability of reported results, especially on funded studies, such as research on alcohol.
Research, specifically from major research centers, has the ability to make a big impact and cause a change in global patterns. For instance, food is one of the major aspects of every single person’s life, which is why the latest studies showing the benefits of a certain type of drawbacks of foods convince people to switch their daily intake.
Back in the late twentieth century, popular studies on food intake, diet, and weight management concluded that fats are the primary culprit for weight gain, obesity, and may contribute to various health conditions in the future as well, which led to a massive change in people’s diets and food demands.
Many of the manufacturers and companies started developing low fat or fat-free food lines in order to meet with the rising demand for so-called ‘healthier’ food. While buying food with low fat, the vast majority was still consuming a lot of sugar on a daily basis, which was somehow deemed acceptable.
Over time, further research on diet and nutrition confirmed that previous industry-funded food studies, specifically those from the sugar industry, had reported questionable findings. In reality, sugar is far more harmful to health and offers no nutritional benefits.
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On the other hand, it was also discovered that not all types of fat are unhealthy. In fact, a certain portion of good fats is needed for a balanced diet and overall good health.
If there is anything that should be controlled and restricted in the diet, it is sugar as it is one of the leading contributors in many of the short and long term health conditions.
However, due to the prevalence of studies showing the harmful effects of fats, most of the people in the mid-twentieth century consumed more sugar than fat. The sugar industry scandal and its effects are one of the biggest examples of why industry-funded studies may not be reliable.
Now, a similar concern has been raised by scientists and health experts.
According to a study published in the European Journal of Public Health, research on alcohol which is funded by the alcohol industry has increased by fifty-six percent in the past few years.
Such studies are bound to convince people to assume that their drinking habits are acceptable and not harmful to their health, which is why they are becoming a big concern.
In addition, scientists also believe that there may be a bigger number of studies which are industry-funded than assumed, which means that the practice has been going on for a very long time.
Further investigation is needed to know the level of involvement of the alcohol industry in relevant research.