The higher the "price" of the HPV vaccine, the better the prevention effect? MSG is harmful and carcinogenic? People who love to laugh don't get depression? On April 14, the special program "For the People, Innovation, Enlightenment - Science Popularization China in Action" was broadcast, and 10 interpretations of the truth of rumors were selected into the annual scientific rumor refutation list.
Annual Scientific Rumor Refutation List
(1) The higher the "valence" number of HPV vaccine, the better the prevention effect
Truth interpretation: "Valence" is the type of HPV, and bivalent, quadrivalent and nine-valent are equally effective in preventing cervical cancer. Although the bivalent vaccine only targets HPV types 16 and 18 infection, current studies have shown that 70% of cervical cancers are related to these two viruses. Therefore, the bivalent vaccine provides comparable protection against cervical cancer as the quadrivalent and 9-valent vaccines.
② 腐乳有霉菌，吃了会致癌
Truth interpretation: Normal consumption of fermented bean curd does not cause cancer. In the production process of fermented bean curd, it does need to go through mold fermentation, which is mainly mucormyces, but also includes a small amount of yeast, aspergillus, and penicillium, but these are all beneficial edible fungi that have been carefully selected and will not produce carcinogens. However, bean curd is high in salt, so it is recommended not to consume too much.
(3) E-cigarettes are not harmful
Truth interpretation: The main components of the liquid of most e-cigarettes are nicotine, propylene glycol, and glycerin. Nicotine is addictive, and cigarette liquid will produce carcinogens such as formaldehyde, nitrosamines, and benzene during heating, which have a strong stimulating effect on the respiratory system, and some will even be deposited in the airways, aggravating the inflammation of the respiratory tract, and even forming bronchiolitis obliterans. Nicotine e-cigarettes can also cause harm to the body's cardiovascular system, immune system, and blood system.
(4) Blood tests will reduce the body's immunity
Truth interpretation: The main cells that make up the body's immunity are white blood cells, and the proportion of red blood cells in the blood is much larger than that of white blood cells. Under normal circumstances, 200-400 ml of blood will lose 1%-2% of the total number of white blood cells in the human body, and within 1-2 hours, the white blood cells in the human body will return to the original number.
(5) MSG is a chemical product that is harmful and carcinogenic
Truth interpretation: The main ingredient of monosodium glutamate is monosodium glutamate, which is not a toxic substance. At present, MSG is mostly fermented by microorganisms. When monosodium glutamate is heated above 120 degrees Celsius, it may produce sodium pyroglutamate, which is not carcinogenic, and too high a temperature will only cause it to lose its umami taste. The World Health Organization's assessment has shown that MSG is safe for normal consumption.
(6) Frequent consumption of antihypertensive drugs will make blood vessels brittle
Truth interpretation: The real culprit that makes blood vessels brittle and thin is high blood pressure, not drugs. The so-called brittle blood vessels are arteriosclerosis. Long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure can also aggravate arteriosclerosis. Antihypertensive drugs not only do not damage blood vessels and cause blood vessels to become brittle, but some antihypertensive drugs can also prevent arteriosclerosis and protect blood vessels and the heart.
(7) "Acidic constitution" is more likely to cause disease
Truth interpretation: There is no concept of "acidic constitution" and "alkaline constitution" in modern medicine. Different parts of the human body have different pH levels, and it is not possible to assess a person's constitution by acidity or alkalinity. At the same time, no matter what you eat, it will not affect the pH level of the body.
(8) Soup is more nutritious than meat
Truth interpretation: During the soup making process, some proteins in meat and bones are hydrolyzed, and some amino acids will be released, and they and some free amino acids in the raw materials will enter the soup. Some amino acids create umami and enhance the flavor of the soup. However, good taste does not mean that it is nutritious, even if it is boiled for more than two hours, most of the protein in the food remains in the meat in a coagulated state, rather than dissolving in water. Therefore, when drinking soup, you should also eat meat, and be careful not to eat or drink meat or soup that contains a lot of fat and is too greasy.
(9) People who love to laugh don't get depression
Truth interpretation: There is a type of "smiling depression" in depression, in addition to the characteristics of ordinary depressed patients such as sensitivity and low self-esteem, such depressed patients usually have personal perfectionism and histrionic personality disorder. Therefore, it is not possible to judge whether a person will suffer from depression simply by the personality he or she exhibits.
(10) Eating tofu often can lead to kidney stones
Truth interpretation: Tofu has little effect on the condition of kidney stones, and the substances related to stones in soybeans mainly include purines, calcium and oxalic acid. Soybeans go through processing steps such as soaking, and many purines are removed, and the oxalic acid content is reduced. The oxalic acid content in tofu is low, and stone patients will not aggravate their condition by eating tofu in moderation, and healthy people do not have to worry that eating tofu will cause stones.
Source: "People's Daily" (2024-04-18 13th edition), original title: "Dianzan 2023 Science Popularization China Special Report", People's Daily Online