Common questions and misconceptions about diets: what does the scientific evidence really show?

The study of diet and nutrition is often filled with numerous myths and misconceptions. A Google Scholar search of "diets health" yields over 4 million results. This review examines frequently asked questions about diets and dietary habits. These questions include the following: 1) Is a caloric surplus necessary for building skeletal muscle? 2) Is it possible to lose body mass or fat mass without caloric restriction? 3) Is intermittent fasting better than chronic caloric restriction for weight loss? 4) Are there sex differences in the response to fasting? 5) Can diet alone fulfill the macro and micronutrient needs of exercise-trained individuals? 6) Is there an ideal dietary macronutrient ratio? 7) Are most of the benefits of diets in overweight/obese individuals due primarily to the weight loss itself? 8) Do DNA-based diets induce greater fat mass loss? 9) Does eating late at night result in a gain in fat mass? 10) Are there data (i.e. observational, randomized controlled trials, etc.) on the carnivore diet? 11) Is there a diet that is best for healthy aging and longevity? 12) Is there such a thing as "superfoods?" 13) Can one consume adequate protein on a vegan diet? 14) Do high-protein diets harm the kidneys? 15) Does a greater meal frequency lead to greater weight loss? 16) Are carbohydrates more "fattening" than dietary fats? To answer these questions, we conducted an evidence-based scientific evaluation of the literature on these topics regarding the diet category.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Published
2026-10-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2026.2707252
Primary Topic
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Common questions and misconceptions about diets: what does the scientific evidence really show?

Grant M. Tinsley, Kimberly Michelle Singleton, Chad M. Kerksick, José António et al.
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
article

Common questions and misconceptions about diets: what does the scientific evidence really show?

Grant M. Tinsley, Kimberly Michelle Singleton, Chad M. Kerksick, José António, Gianna F. Mastrofini, Antonella V. Schwarz, Darren Glenn Candow, Cassandra Evans, Guillermo Escalante, Flavia Pereira, Shawn M. Arent, Abbie E. Smith‐Ryan, Jeffrey R. Stout, Kworweinski Lafontant, Bill I Campbell, Alan Albert Aragon, Kieran G. P. Paterson, Scott C. Forbes, Erik Bustillo, Michael J. Ormsbee, Brandi B. Antonio, Scotty Mills, Hannah K. Eberhardt, Drew Gonzalez, Valeria Silva Ramirez
article en

Abstract

The study of diet and nutrition is often filled with numerous myths and misconceptions. A Google Scholar search of "diets health" yields over 4 million results. This review examines frequently asked questions about diets and dietary habits. These questions include the following: 1) Is a caloric surplus necessary for building skeletal muscle? 2) Is it possible to lose body mass or fat mass without caloric restriction? 3) Is intermittent fasting better than chronic caloric restriction for weight loss? 4) Are there sex differences in the response to fasting? 5) Can diet alone fulfill the macro and micronutrient needs of exercise-trained individuals? 6) Is there an ideal dietary macronutrient ratio? 7) Are most of the benefits of diets in overweight/obese individuals due primarily to the weight loss itself? 8) Do DNA-based diets induce greater fat mass loss? 9) Does eating late at night result in a gain in fat mass? 10) Are there data (i.e. observational, randomized controlled trials, etc.) on the carnivore diet? 11) Is there a diet that is best for healthy aging and longevity? 12) Is there such a thing as "superfoods?" 13) Can one consume adequate protein on a vegan diet? 14) Do high-protein diets harm the kidneys? 15) Does a greater meal frequency lead to greater weight loss? 16) Are carbohydrates more "fattening" than dietary fats? To answer these questions, we conducted an evidence-based scientific evaluation of the literature on these topics regarding the diet category.

Journal of the International Society of Sports NutritionVol. 23(1)
University of Central Florida (US), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US), Texas Tech University (US), California State University System (US), Barry University (US), University of South Carolina (US), Sam Houston State University (US), University of Regina (CA), Nova Southeastern University (US), Coastal Carolina University (US), Smile Train (US), Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (US), Brandon University (CA), Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (US), Lindenwood University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
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