Warning over celebs' health advice
Updated on 27 December 2008
The public should be wary of celebrities offering science tips that they may know little about, a charity warned.
Sense About Science said it was concerned that some celebrities offer health tips or advice on issues which they may have only limited understanding.
The charity compiled The Celebrities and Science Review 2008 in which scientists evaluated the advice offered by celebrities over the past year.
Food guru Delia Smith and self-styled domestic goddess Nigella Lawson attracted particular criticism.
Smith was pulled up by the review for her understanding of obesity.
The chef said: "That's what causes obesity. It's addiction. After six weeks (without sugar) everything will taste sweet ... because you will have got your palate back to what nature created.
"We could cure the nation if we cut down sugar addiction."
Lisa Miles, senior nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: "Delia, you'll never get rid of sugar from the diet, nor would you want to as you consume sugars naturally in many foods such as fruit and milk which provide us with important nutrients.
"Also the causes of obesity are much more complex."
Lawson was criticised for claiming that mind meals "can help you feel different about life".
These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.
