Tomtomkent
Philosopher
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 8,607
Writing this here, as there it has sparked out of the Skeptoid threads where there is a limitation of space, but it is a subject that highlights some interesting points on how science is viewed, or at least assumed.
Now what I am not going to comment on is the ethical issue of battery farming as opposed to free range or free roaming farming. Or the taste of chicken itself. This is all about eggs. If you think free range eggs are tasty go eat them. But if you are going to tell me they are healthier, be ready to back it up with facts.
Because, as far as I can find, the BEST evidence (in the eyes of free range advocates at least) that free range eggs are healthier comes from the claim that they have marginally higher levels of omega 3, Vit A and Vit E, with marginally lower levels of fats, saturated fats, omega 6 and cholestorol.
But, and here is the thing, despite claims that "big farms feed battery hens processed food", the chances are your free range hens were fed the same food. Unless they make a specific claim to be organic, and meet different labelling requirements, they are probably fed the same industrial feed.
More over, is that the best evidence in a scientific standard, rather than giving the best result? No. The evidence is marginal, but far from conclusive at the moment. The evidence most often quoted on lifestyle webpages come from the same few studies. They tend to ignore studies like the ones mentioned here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100707102445.htm
or here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100616122124.htm
By and large the evidence suggests a minor trend that free range may be better in eggs, but not nearly as superior as advocates would like to claim. A lot of the campaigns do not mention the nutrition at all, they talk far more about taste and the ethical treatment of animals.
Ok, remember I said I wasn't going to argue if you think free range taste better? I wont. I will point out though that it is an entirely subjective measure. We can ask why it appears to taste better, through blind tastings, and pull the old but neat trick of seeing if people rate battery eggs higher if they think they are free range or organic. An area I am looking for research on at the moment, but have no interest in straying to here.
Any other thoughts? And I am guessing they are largely going to be telling me why I am wrong here...
Now what I am not going to comment on is the ethical issue of battery farming as opposed to free range or free roaming farming. Or the taste of chicken itself. This is all about eggs. If you think free range eggs are tasty go eat them. But if you are going to tell me they are healthier, be ready to back it up with facts.
Because, as far as I can find, the BEST evidence (in the eyes of free range advocates at least) that free range eggs are healthier comes from the claim that they have marginally higher levels of omega 3, Vit A and Vit E, with marginally lower levels of fats, saturated fats, omega 6 and cholestorol.
But, and here is the thing, despite claims that "big farms feed battery hens processed food", the chances are your free range hens were fed the same food. Unless they make a specific claim to be organic, and meet different labelling requirements, they are probably fed the same industrial feed.
More over, is that the best evidence in a scientific standard, rather than giving the best result? No. The evidence is marginal, but far from conclusive at the moment. The evidence most often quoted on lifestyle webpages come from the same few studies. They tend to ignore studies like the ones mentioned here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100707102445.htm
or here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100616122124.htm
By and large the evidence suggests a minor trend that free range may be better in eggs, but not nearly as superior as advocates would like to claim. A lot of the campaigns do not mention the nutrition at all, they talk far more about taste and the ethical treatment of animals.
Ok, remember I said I wasn't going to argue if you think free range taste better? I wont. I will point out though that it is an entirely subjective measure. We can ask why it appears to taste better, through blind tastings, and pull the old but neat trick of seeing if people rate battery eggs higher if they think they are free range or organic. An area I am looking for research on at the moment, but have no interest in straying to here.
Any other thoughts? And I am guessing they are largely going to be telling me why I am wrong here...