I wrote one of those articles and I must say that it may or may not have been vapid but I was very careful to make sure that it was not misleading. The source materials were identified and I noted that the study did not suggest the addition of M&M's to your diet as being therapeutic but that the basic, active ingredients of the chocolate bean was effective and that the study was done with properly unprocessed chocolate. Checking sources and looking for more information is the writer's job; the reader's is to try to make sure that what they are reading is reliable as well as interesting, truthful as well as convincing.
However, it is the reader's responsibility to understand that cancer, diabetes and heart disease will not be cured by adding Milky Ways to your cheeseburger, fries and milkshake. They will not be medicinal even when added to your steamed rice, vegetables and salmon. There are many new studies and nutrients that are proving themselves to provide valuable nutrients, phyto-nutrients and new classes of elements in foods and spices. A little alcohol can be beneficial, unprocessed chocolate, cinnamon and other spices and as yet unknown elements may be helpful in the battle for health. But your own questions and investigation will remain necessary to isolate that which will help you.
“Don't believe everything you read” remains the same good advice it has always been.








Article comments
1 - Deano
I suspect that what we will probably see in the near future, is some form of online "Quality" guarantee or symbology, much like people look for Verisign when making an online purchase.
Sites could apply for recognition as a dependable information source, get vetted, ranked and rated. Reputable sites would then be tagged, possibly showing up higher on Google or searches as a reward.
2 - Christopher Wanjek
Google news altered me to this article from Howard that mentions me and one of my columns. For the record, I thought his "chocolate" article was great, certainly not one of the vapid ones I was referring too. Right on, Howard. And you're a brave, brave man for venturing into the (web) world of urine therapy.