Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Western Branch Meeting 2025-1 of the Royal Society of NSW — 16 April 2025
"Is my food killing me?"
Distinguished Professor Chris Blanchard
Professor of Food Science, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University
https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/western-nsw-branch-meeting-2025-1/
This lecture was a joint presentation of Charles Sturt University, as part of its Provocations Public Lecture Series, and the Western NSW Branch of the Royal Society of NSW
Summary: Food-related diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. The incidence of cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer can be reduced by maintaining a healthy diet. However, these diseases still rank among the top 10 causes of death globally.
According to social media platforms like Facebook, wheat breeders are blamed for the rise in celiac disease due to the development of toxic varieties. Additionally, food processors are accused of stripping nutrients from our food, the livestock industry is said to be responsible for elevated cholesterol levels, and multinational companies are allegedly poisoning us with glyphosate through genetically modified crops.
But is Facebook correct, or are there other reasons for the high prevalence of food-related diseases? This presentation will explore the impact of diet on health and examine how our research is challenging some of the food-related myths circulating on social media.
Western Branch Meeting 2025-1 of the Royal Society of NSW — 16 April 2025
"Is my food killing me?"
Distinguished Professor Chris Blanchard
Professor of Food Science, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University
https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/western-nsw-branch-meeting-2025-1/
This lecture was a joint presentation of Charles Sturt University, as part of its Provocations Public Lecture Series, and the Western NSW Branch of the Royal Society of NSW
Summary: Food-related diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. The incidence of cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer can be reduced by maintaining a healthy diet. However, these diseases still rank among the top 10 causes of death globally.
According to social media platforms like Facebook, wheat breeders are blamed for the rise in celiac disease due to the development of toxic varieties. Additionally, food processors are accused of stripping nutrients from our food, the livestock industry is said to be responsible for elevated cholesterol levels, and multinational companies are allegedly poisoning us with glyphosate through genetically modified crops.
But is Facebook correct, or are there other reasons for the high prevalence of food-related diseases? This presentation will explore the impact of diet on health and examine how our research is challenging some of the food-related myths circulating on social media.
