health
-
Economists: Every $1 of electricity from coal does $2 in damage to U.S.
We all knew coal is harmful -- we figured people just ignored that harm because of their profit margins. But according to the prestigious American Economic Review, harm from coal-fired electrical plants costs more than twice as much as the electricity they generate. All told, coal plants cause $53 billion in damage every year. And none of that even takes climate impacts into account.
-
Is my apple farmer shining me on? Ask Umbra on pesticides
A grower minimizes spraying fruit. Is that good enough? Umbra bites in.
-
Did a government study just prove that BPA is safe?
New science claims to debunk BPA risk from canned foods. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
-
Stamping out hunger with fast food?
As surprising as it sounds, the recent flurry of responses to a program that makes fast food available with food stamps might be unfounded.
-
Surprise! Americans are drinking A LOT of soda
On average, Americans now get nearly 10 percent of their calories from soda and other sugary beverages.
-
Nestle wants you to be scared of organic food
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe trots out tired and debunked arguments against organics, then reveals his company's foray into neutraceuticals, or disease-fighting foods.
-
We need more markets — and veggie eaters
Rural residents tend to eat fewer fruits and veggies than their urban counterparts, despite living right next to the fields where produce is grown.
-
Whole Foods will tell you how to eat healthy, for a price
Unable to tell shiitake from Shinola? Don't know sea bass from a hole in the ground? Don't worry -- as long as you're willing to pay a giant wad of cash every month, you never have to be confused about what a "vegetable" is again. For a mere $49 a month -- only like a quarter of the average person's food budget! -- Whole Foods will hold your hand while you purchase their exorbitantly-priced groceries. In other words, if you're rich enough to eat healthy, you can spend more money to be assured you're eating healthy.
-
You shouldn’t be able to buy soda with food stamps
The USDA has rejected New York City's proposal to block the use of food stamps to buy soda. Anti-hunger advocates joined the soft-drink industry in rejoicing, but they've got it all wrong.