Evidence Policy

Last updated: 22 July 2026

Food Health Lab exists to make nutrition and health research more useful without making it sound more certain than it is. Our content is educational and does not replace personal medical care.

Our standard: clear sources, proportionate conclusions and practical advice that reflects both the benefits and the limits of the evidence.

How we assess evidence

We give greatest weight to well-conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, major clinical guidelines and public-health authorities. We also use high-quality cohort studies, mechanistic research and traditional use where relevant, but we clearly distinguish these from evidence that can establish cause and effect in people.

What we look for

Study design, size, duration and whether the results apply to the people being discussed.
The size of an effect, not only whether a result was statistically significant.
Consistency across studies and whether findings have been replicated.
Safety, adverse effects, medication interactions and meaningful uncertainty.
Funding and conflicts of interest when they could affect interpretation.

How we write about findings

We link important claims to sources where practical and name the strength and limits of the research in plain language. We avoid presenting cell, animal or observational findings as proven benefits in people. We do not promise prevention, treatment or cure of disease, and we update pages when better evidence materially changes the conclusion.

Food first, context always

For most people, dietary patterns, adequate sleep, movement and medical care where needed matter more than a single ingredient or supplement. Supplements may have a place, but we discuss dose uncertainty, product quality and safety rather than treating them as shortcuts.

Editorial independence

Our editorial conclusions are made independently. Commercial relationships do not determine what we cover or what we conclude. Where a page contains affiliate links, that relationship is disclosed separately.

Corrections

Accuracy matters. If you spot an error, an outdated source or a missing context, email info@foodhealthlab.com. We review substantiated corrections and update content where appropriate.