HealthyLife Articles

Tag: verify

Health News: Sorting Fact From Fiction

WELL-BEING

Misinformation is rampant in the internet age. While technology allows us to stay up to date and connected, it can also amplify false information and spread confusion.

Finding reliable health information is especially important as you want to make good choices for your long-term health. But, it is all too easy to get tripped up by pseudo-science and unqualified individuals who present themselves as experts.

So, how do you sort fact from fiction?

Know how to spot reliable sources

* Look for .gov, .org, and .edu websites as most reliable.

* Check the authors’ credentials.

* Compare suspicious information to the information onmedlineplus.gov.

* Be skeptical of information on social media or .com sites that you can’t verify from a more reliable source.

Ask good questions

* Does it sound too good to be true?

* Is the source linked to a reputable national or global health institution?

* What is your emotional reaction?

* Are the headline and content straightforward or sensationalized?

* Can the information be verified by other trusted sources?

Dig a little deeper

A quick internet search can tell you know the kinds of websites that are sharing the information. Check for .gov, .org, or .edu sites on the first page of results. You can also go to a fact-checking website such as:

*Snopes.com

*Factcheck.org

*Quackwatch.org

*Healthnewsreview.org

Keep an open mind

We all have a health philosophy that guides our choices. This can be useful, but it becomes a problem when we only believe information that aligns with our bias. This prevents us from learning and growing, and from changing our minds if our bias turns out to be incorrect.

Instead of immediately accepting or rejecting new information, stay curious. Be open to the possibility there is more to learn.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Misinformation & Social Media

WELL-BEING

While social media can be an easy way to catch up on the latest, it is not always a reliable source of factual information.

Social media sites tend to amplify sensationalized messages. Information that contains an emotional appeal, quotes a supposed expert, or points to a deeper conspiracy is more likely to catch our attention. The result is that plain facts are often ignored or disbelieved.

Six ways to prevent misinformation

Avoid the sensational

The headline or title of a social media post can be the first clue to its reliability. Avoid catchy, overly sensationalized headlines. Don’t fall for clickbait.

Check the source

Watch out for anecdotal stories or information heard from a friend of a friend of a distant family member. Look for real experts from reputable organizations.

Verify the facts

Double-check when you hear new information to see if other reputable sources support the facts. Misinformation goes viral all the time, so verify before you share.

Ask questions

Before you believe something you read on social media, ask yourself if you truly think the information is accurate. A moment to reflect may save you from falling prey to fake news.

Notice your feelings

A lot of misinformation is designed to tap into frustration and outrage. Look for information that encourages you to think objectively and acknowledge nuance.

Limit time on social media

The more time you spend on social media, the more likely you will run into misinformation. Keep your time on social media brief and focus on meaningful connection, not information surfing.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Look Past Advertising

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 3

Advertising can help point out healthy qualities in a food or drink. Advertising can also distract you from less healthy ingredients and nutrition facts. Check the nutrition facts and ingredients list to get the real scoop on what’s in the product. The drawbacks may outweigh the benefits advertised on the package.

“Made With…”Example: Whole Grains, Real Fruit

What it Means: At one point, the real ingredient (e.g., whole grain, fruit) was part of the product. That ingredient may have been processed further, causing it to lose nutrients. This claim does not tell you anything about how much of the whole food is in the end product.

“Sugar Free”

What it Means: A sugar free food has less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. What is in the food is more important than what the food is claiming to be free from. Check to see if extra saturated fat or artificial sweeteners have been added to make up for taste. Avoid foods high in saturated fat or foods containing artificial sweeteners.

“Fat Free”

What it Means: This food contains less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving (of any kind). If a food is fat free, make sure sugars or starches haven’t been added to replace the flavor and structure that fat gives food. Remember, unsaturated fat is an important part of a healthy diet and helps keep you feeling full.

“Contains…”Example: Whole Grains, Real Fruit

What it Means: This product contains some amount of this ingredient, but that amount may be very small. For example, a fruit drink that “contains real fruit” may be 10% real fruit juice and 90% added water and sugar. If you want more of the ingredient, like a whole grain or fruit, look for it to appear high on the list of ingredients.

“Contains Zero Trans Fat”

What it Means: There is no safe amount of trans fats, but a food label can say it contains zero trans fats if the trans fat content is below 0.5 grams per serving. To find trans fats, you will need to look at the ingredients. Avoid ingredients that are “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated.”

Organic, Grass-Fed, Cage-Free, Free-Range, Non-GMO

Learn more about these marketing claims and labeling standards inPart 7of this guide.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026