Instant health claims not so dandy

It seems even the health food industry feels the pressure to offer consumers convenient, time saving alternatives. Today I went looking for dandelion root beverage, an excellent liver support and detoxification brew provided to us typically in a jar, but direct from nature.

There are some quality brands on the market but I couldn’t help but feel a little curious about the one that claimed to be ‘instant’.

What price do we pay for convenience, even in health foods? A little label research paid off when I discovered that the ‘instant’ alternatives could contain sugars or artificial sweeteners, mild solids and other additives like anti-caking powder.

So the lesson is always look for the product alternative that is closest to its natural form. Brewing a dandelion beverage from the coarse grind roots doesn’t really take that much time, and knowing it is free from contaminants and additives is worth that few extra minutes.

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Lindy Schneider is a writer and researcher with a keen interest in health, wellbeing and natural childcare. She is an advocator of a chemical-free lifestyle in the best interests of her family, the community and a sustainable world. She lives in the Yarra Valley with her partner and two young children.