eli5: Why do articles about nutrition always refer to what benefits “may” occur from the intake of nutrients rather than what benefits “will” occur?
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A *major* reason for this is because of the difference between food and medicine.
Medicine *treats* conditions, needs to be proven to do so scientifically, and is regulated by various governmental agencies.
Food, “nutrients” and “supplements” are not intended to treat medical conditions, and will you will notice that language on packaging as well. As such the do not need to be tested to prove they help, they do not need to be tested to prove they don’t cause other problems, and they do not need to be regulated by governmental agencies outside of food-safety type concerns.
For example, a prescription skin cream *will* treat a rash and is meant to treat that condition.
Supplement X, marketed to improve libido, *may* improve libido because *anything* might do *something*. The company is specifically, legally, claim the product isn’t *meant to* improve libido, “but it *might* help”.
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