Most health, diet, and #wellness information is a minefield of confusing and conflicting advice:

It's enough to make anyone's head spin! 

So today we're going to turn you into a scientist.

See, if you hadn't guessed, at Body Matters, we're unapologetically enthusiastic about science (sorry, not sorry).

However, if simply hearing the word "science" is enough to make you scan the horizon in search of the nearest exit, you wouldn't be short of company.

For many folk, "science" is inextricably linked with vague memories of school classrooms, filled with the reek of badly mixed chemicals (tinged with Lynx and Impulse) and someone’s hair being singed by a Bunsen burner.

While those memories might be entertaining, they don't quite capture the true essence of science.

So let us share what science really is, and why it matters to us in our work with clients.

Then, with your newly acquired scientific savvy, you'll be able to:

• Navigate the maze of information…

• Filter out false claims…

• And discover a clear path towards a healthier, happier life, by ensuring that your choices are grounded in reality and backed by evidence.

Plus, we’ll explain WHATDAHECK any of this has to do with a talking dragon, of course.

OK, nerdy definitions first: What is science?

As a process, science is a systematic and careful way of gathering information about the world, based on observation, experimentation, and evidence.

The knowledge gained through this process is often referred to as "scientific knowledge."

…So what’s the big deal?

Science matters, like, really matters, because it's the best method we have for distinguishing reality from non-reality (which seems pretty important if you ask us).

To explain what we mean, let's delve into a hypothetical scenario: The Tale of the Talking Money Dragon*

*Still working on a catchier name, sorry

Imagine we tell you there's a talking, money-producing dragon at Body Matters HQ. You scrunch up your nose, and like the logical, yet curious, smart cookie you are, you say: "Prove it!"

So we show you all our money, shouting: "See, magic dragon money!"

At this point you're sceptical, and for a good reason. So you plot out how you'll investigate our claim…

The first step in your investigation would be to see if there are any other reasons why we might have all that money.

Spoiler alert: There are!

Second, you might want to look for any carefully documented accounts of talking dragons elsewhere.

Spoiler alert: there aren't any.

This makes the likelihood of our claim being true very low. 

But let's say you wanted to investigate further…

You come to Body Matters HQ to examine this magic dragon yourself.

Upon arrival, there's no dragon to be found. You can't touch, see, or even smell a dragon (and if you think the smell of hair in a bunsen burner is bad, a dragon has to STINK). You can't see any footprints, get any heat from it, or see it on any type of camera.

In other words, all your data shows exactly what you would expect if there wasn't a dragon.

So we explain: "Duh, of course not. The dragon is invisible, untouchable, undetectable and leaves no physical evidence of its existence. It's definitely there, though. You've just got to trust us."

At this point you’re:

1. Quite annoyed, because a talking dragon would be cool af.

2. Certain that there is no dragon.

How did you figure this out?

Well… You heard a claim, thought of more reasonable alternative explanations, and tried to collect some objective data.

Then, when that data suggested a distinct lack of a dragon, you reached the shocking conclusion that there is in fact, no dragon.

Finally, you were told that this magic dragon can’t be found in this way.

In scientific terms, this means the magic dragon is “unfalsifiable” or cannot be proven to not exist. This means the investigation is over.

Now for the essential question: Would you want to base any future decisions on the presence of this dragon?

We're willing to bet you wouldn't.

Congratulations, you did a science!

By using science, you figured out something about the world (e.g. no talking dragons) and then used that information to inform your decisions (e.g. not investing in our talking dragon business).

The lesson here? Science helps us separate fact from fiction, ensuring that the information we use to make decisions about our lives is based on evidence and reality.

That’s why at Body Matters, we use science as the foundation of our advice and recommendations. This approach helps you make informed choices for a healthier, happier life, free from mythical creatures and misinformation.

And now that you're scientifically savvy, next time you see someone shouting about the nutrition version of a talking dragon, you'll know to just walk on by.

Are you experiencing challenges sifting through any confusing or conflicting diet advice or lifestyle information?

Are you currently dealing with a difficult question or seeking clarity on a piece of nutrition advice?

If you'd like some help, just drop us a message and we'll do our best to clear things up for you.

See, we understand that even with a strong foundation in scientific thinking, navigating the complex world of nutrition, weight management and lifestyle change can be daunting. 

That's why at Body Matters we're here to guide you through this journey every step (and stumble!) of the way.

Our team of nutritionists, health coaches and behaviour change specialists is dedicated to providing personalised, evidence-based guidance, and simplifying the challenges of lasting lifestyle change.

So we'd be more than happy to answer any questions to help you to make fully informed choices, because we believe in a world where every individual has the tools they need to live their longest, happiest, and healthiest life.  

That includes access to great, reliable information.

So don't be a stranger! Get in touch via the contact form below.

P.S If you have any tales of the utter madness which happened in your school science lessons, feel free to share them with us . It would brighten our day no end.