Fact-checking nutrition myths

Low-carb diets, gluten-free eating and gut restoration – few topics are as rife with half-truths and myths as nutrition. Particularly in the case of acute diarrhoeal illnesses, but also in the case of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or liver diseases, there are numerous dietary tips circulating that often cause more confusion and harm than they do good.

At our stand, visitors of all ages can have fun finding out what really lies behind common dietary myths. On a wheel of fortune featuring ten everyday statements – ranging from ‘Gut cleansing and gut flora analysis: do they help restore balance in the gut?’ to ‘Gluten-free is automatically healthier’ – they can spin the wheel, make a guess and discuss the scientific explanation with specialists in the field of gastroenterology. There is a particular focus on questions relevant to people with bowel or liver conditions: Which diet really helps with irritable bowel syndrome? What is evidence-based for IBD and what is mere marketing? And what does ‘liver-friendly diet’ actually mean?

Alongside the knowledge quiz, there are two interactive measurement stations to try out:

Hand grip strength measurement (dynamometer): demonstrates in a fun way the link between muscle strength, protein intake and ageing processes (keyword: sarcopenia) – a topic that is often underestimated, particularly in the context of chronic conditions and in older age.

Body composition analysis (BIA): illustrates at a glance how muscle and fat are distributed throughout the body, and serves as a conversation starter for questions relating to diet, exercise and metabolism.