Reality Check Archives - Science Update

A Solstice Story

December 18, 2021

Once upon a time, about 4.5 billion years ago, back when Earth was just a baby planet, our young solar system was a dangerous neighborhood, with all …

Are Avocado Pits Edible?

November 24, 2020

What is it about fruit pits? Science Update listeners called and emailed about them frequently over the years with two opposite questions: Will …

Chewing Gum Myth

October 17, 2018

Does it really take seven years to digest chewing gum?

Metal in Microwaves

July 8, 2016

If metal isn’t supposed to go in microwave ovens, why do some of them have metal racks?

Fear of Gluten

June 24, 2016

Gluten-free diets are all the rage, but only a small percentage of the population is truly sensitive to the wheat protein.

27 Club Myth

May 1, 2014

Statisticians test whether famous musicians are really more likely to die at age 27.

Baby Tooth Cavities

September 5, 2013

Baby teeth fall out eventually. But that doesn't mean cavities in baby teeth should be ignored.

Artificial Dyes

August 14, 2013

Some people argue that food dyes are harmful to human health, but do decades of safety research back up these allegations?

How Paleo is “Paleo”?

August 1, 2013

Did our hunter-gatherer ancestors really eat a “Paleo” diet?

2012 Apocalypse Myth Exposed – Encore presentation

December 21, 2012

The world is not ending today. Find out why in this Science Update encore presentation.

Poison Pits

March 1, 2011

A listener asks whether it's safe to eat fruit seeds and pits.

Left-Handed Brains

February 8, 2011

Left-handers suffer more from learning disabilities but can also excel in spatial visualization.