... a highly entertaining and deceptively sophisticated book ... In a slyly brilliant bait and switch, what is framed as a book about what we should eat becomes a thriller about the scientific method itself ... The kicker to Mr. Zaidan’s witty and clever analysis is that, even if we assume that the nutritional studies are totally right, their worst-case scenarios are still not that bad.
... instead of offering up faddish nutritional spin, or dishing out sanctimonious vagaries like, 'Eat real food,' Zaidan does something different—and much more worthwhile. He guides you through how scientists assess the risks and safety of chemicals: how they establish the links between health effects and their causes, and how they sometimes get it wrong ... For a title that gleefully veers into the technical aspects of statistics and organic chemistry, it’s a breezy read. Zaidan has a gift for punching up hard science with goofball details without sacrificing substance. Does the jocularity sometimes feel a little excessive? Sure...But it’s a rare book that can compare achieving statistical significance in an experiment to reaching orgasm and still leave you feeling like you’ve learned something useful.
A skilled science communicator, Zaidan presents his findings with humor and accessible language ... Zaidan’s work will be illuminating for those who warily approach ever-changing health declarations that claim to provide the elixir to achieving a long life ... While Zaidan doesn’t provide definitive answers as to how much coffee to drink or what type (if any) sunscreen to use, he does suggest not worrying so much about having all the answers ... An entertaining romp through the world of scientific studies focusing on topics that will concern most readers. Recommended for all curious about the everyday products they consume or use.
... takes the reader on a lively tour of the best and worst of nutritional epidemiology ... Though occasionally unfocused, Ingredients employs a lighthearted tone and approachable language to enlighten even the least science-inclined reader on the strengths and pitfalls of the science that tells us what’s best for our bodies.
You could be forgiven for thinking it is a book about what goes into our food, about how chemicals interact with each other and our organs, or comparing the damage done by alternating, well, ingredients. It is none of those. George Zaidan has instead written a book about data ... As such, the book is a terrific educational tool, thickening the skin of readers who like to peruse and believe the health, fitness and food pages on the internet ... If you like chemical bond drawings of compounds and dissecting full studies — and not just the topline summaries you get in internet news — this is a helpful introduction ... Zaidan loves swear words. He seems to prefer them to scientific words...He also likes dropping pop cultural references into explanations, which cuts down the number of readers who can understand what he’s writing ... So while it might be valuable for those who are serious about their food science, it seems to be written for 16 year-olds ... I’m not really sure who the audience is for Ingredients ... garishly overdecorated ... There are precious few non-data takeaways in the book.
... engaging and witty ... Zaidan evinces a gift for making complicated scientific principles easy to understand. Anyone who has sweated through organic chemistry will be grateful for the explanation of how certain molecules are innocuous in some forms and deadly in others, while the nutritionally-minded will appreciate the persuasive arguments against ultra-processed foods ... While Zaidan lays on the humor, his conclusions are sound. Science lovers will enjoy Zaidan’s lighthearted approach.
... earthy, conversational, sometimes overly cute language that will appeal to some readers and turn others off ... Readers who accept Zaidan’s chosen mode of communication will be motivated to continue and will learn about a variety of relevant issues ... There is good information to be found in this book; just look past Zaidan’s heavy-handed efforts to be accessibly amusing.
