Nirvana Javier

The documentary “What the Health” presents a very critical view of global health, portraying a profoundly sick society, in which much of the population suffers from what they call “diseases of civilization” such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and other chronic disorders. While the documentary touches on a key point in highlighting how many of these health problems can be prevented with healthier habits, I find its approach to be largely exaggerated and biased. On the one hand, it is right to point out that the food and pharmaceutical industries have a significant impact on public health and that many times, the wellbeing of the population takes a back seat to economic interests. However, by presenting disease as a mere business and blaming animal-based foods (such as meat, eggs and dairy) for all the ills of modern society, the documentary seems to lose sight of the complexity of the issue. It is undeniable that diet plays a fundamental role in health, and there is solid evidence that a high consumption of ultra-processed foods is detrimental. However, the documentary fails to make any mention of these foods, which are undoubtedly one of the main culprits of the current health crisis. Instead, it demonizes foods that have been consumed by mankind for millennia. Moreover, some of the claims made in the documentary, such as that eating an egg is as harmful as smoking cigarettes, lack robust scientific evidence and seem designed more to provoke than to inform. This leads one to question the objectivity of the documentary, which, rather than offering a balanced view, seems more like a propaganda vehicle to promote a vegan diet, which, while it may be healthy, is not the only way to achieve good health. In my opinion, dairy, in moderation, can be part of a balanced diet, especially for those who can digest it without problems, such as much of the European population. However, I agree that their predominance in dietary guidelines should be reconsidered, especially in regions with high rates of lactose intolerance. The documentary is right to highlight the influence of food on health, but its exaggerated and one-sided approach runs the risk of misinformation. While it is important to reconsider the role of dairy in the diet, the key to good health lies in adopting a balanced diet that limits ultra-processed foods and prioritizes fresh and natural ones. “What the Health” raises awareness of real issues, but its lack of balance and tendency to exaggerate detract from its message.

After watching only two episodes of “We Are What We Eat,” I am disappointed. The documentary could have been an excellent opportunity to address both the advantages and disadvantages of omnivorous and vegan eating in a balanced way. However, what I have seen so far seems to focus solely on demonizing meat consumption, blaming it for all environmental and health problems. This biased approach ignores important issues, such as the use of pesticides in agriculture, the emissions and waste also produced by the vegetable industry, and the impact on ecosystems and human communities displaced by agricultural expansion. The documentary gives the impression of being manipulated and seems to be designed to persuade the viewer towards veganism without offering an objective and complete view. This leads me to question the intentions behind its production and to think that it might be funded by interests that covertly promote veganism. It is a reminder of how important it is to maintain a critical and conscious stance when consuming this type of content. Although “We Are What We Eat” disappointed me with its obvious bias towards veganism, I can't deny that the subject matter of the documentary is quite interesting. In particular, I found the experiment with identical twins changing their diet and lifestyle for eight weeks to be an engaging approach. It made me reflect on how our food choices can go beyond the physical, affecting aspects such as energy, mood and overall quality of life. Despite the criticisms, I think this type of research is valuable to better understand the impact of what we eat on our overall well-being.