Yes, but is it anygood for you?

CHLOE DAWSON

FIJIAN MINERAL WATER

What's the big idea? Mineral water is so much better for you because it is purer than tap water (it hasn't passed through seven other people, for a start), tastes better - and celebs love it, especially the latest water, from Fiji. This, having been filtered through the virgin ecosystems of Fiji's volcanic highlands, claims it is purer than other waters.

But... There are no proven health benefits to bottled water. Water is water, concern over the quality of tap water is unfounded, says the Drinking Water Inspectorate. It is inspected minutely and meets all necessary criteria.

Cost: Pounds 1.24 a litre.

Any benefit? 0

ORGANIC FOOD

What's the big idea? Food grown without chemical pesticides is free from carcinogenic synthetic pesticide residues - which is clearly good for our health and for the environment.

But... There is no evidence to support the claim that organic food tastes better, is healthier or better for the environment than conventionally produced food. Sir John Krebs, head of the Food Standards Agency, has said: "A single cup of coffee contains natural carcinogens equal to at least a year's worth of carcinogenic synthetic pesticides in the diet."

Cost: up to half as much again as non-organic produce.

Any benefit? *

HIGH-FIBRE DIETS

What's the big idea? In the Eighties, the high-fibre F-plan diet changed our idea of good diet-food; we chucked out grapefruit and shovelled in baked beans and bran cereal. High-fibre food keeps you feeling full while losing weight - and the more the better.

But... Don't overdo it, say nutritionists. Bran may be high in fibre, but it doesn't provide the other nutrients that you can get from fibrerich starchy foods, such as wholemeal bread.

And bran can also reduce absorption of some nutrients.

Eat other forms of fibre, too.

Cost: low.

Any benefit? *****

ANTI-AGEING FACE CREAMS

What's the big idea? One in three women over 30 now uses an antiageing product. Who wouldn't, with the claims they make of holding back the wrinkles, and the years?

But... Despite the fact that ingredients frequently included in anti-ageing creams (including vitamin C, vitamin A and retinoids) do have proven effects Anthony Blake Photo Library

on the skin, a Which? survey found that out of 48 women who tried such creams, only 10 reported any improvement.

Cost: Pounds 10-Pounds 200.

Any benefit? **

DAIRY ALLERGY

What's the big idea? Human bodies were not made to consume a foodstuff designed for baby cows; we lack the right digestive enzymes. Almost all complementary practitioners recommend giving up milk; some suggest that consumption of dairy products is linked to the high rate of cancer in the Western world.

But... Only two per cent of the population is allergic to milk.

Cost: up to Pounds 150 for an allergy test at a private clinic.

Any benefit? *

KINESIOLOGY

What's the big idea? Diagnostic method of testing the muscles of the body by applying light pressure while asking the body questions, or holding vials of certain substances against it, to determine what is out of balance.

Frequently used for allergy-testing.

But... Where's the proof ?

Cost: from Pounds 40 a consultation.

Any benefit? 0

ECHINACEA

What's the big idea? This herbal remedy, Echinacea purpurea, enjoys a widespread reputation for boosting the immune system and warding off colds and flu.

But... Researchers exposed 10 volunteers who had taken Echinacea to a cold virus - and nine of them caught the cold, as did nine of the placebo group.

They concluded that it was of no use.

Cost: around Pounds 6 a bottle.

Any benefit? *

COLONIC IRRIGATION

What's the big idea? Flushing the entire colon with purified water brings out undigested waste matter which may have built up.

Princess Diana was the bestknown fan of the procedure, which, adherents say, helps with bloating, fatigue, headaches and skin problems.

But... Such irrigation removes "good" bacteria from the gut and is quite unnecessary; a high-fibre diet will help the colon to do its job properly.

Cost: from Pounds 75 a session.

Any benefit? *

ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS

What's the big idea? Hailed as wonder-chemicals that can mop up the damaging effects of our modern diet and lifestyle, Vitamins C E are thought to knock out the "free radical"

a daily antioxidant mix of vitamins C, E and beta-carotene found no significant difference between the rates of cancer, stroke and heart disease in the two groups. High levels of antioxidants in the body are associated with many health benefits, but it is thought that this is because they are the marker of a healthy diet, rather than a good thing in themselves.

Cost: from Pounds 2.50 a packet.

Any benefit? *

CRYSTAL THERAPY

What's the big idea? Different crystals resonate with the minute vibrations of different "energies" which make up everything in the world, including people. Determining what particular vibes you are lacking, and supplying that need with an appropriate crystal, can rebalance the body.

But... while crystals are pretty to have as pendants or paperweights, there is absolutely no evidence that they have the suggested effect.

Cost: from Pounds 10 for a nice rose quartz pendant.

Any benefit? 0

COLOUR THERAPY

What's the big idea? The vibrations with which colours resonate are part of what makes up the world, and if the body is out of sync it can be returned to a state of wholeness by treating it with light from the spectrum of colour.

But... Colour certainly influences mood; blue is soothing, and so on, but for most people, the idea that bathing in purple light will help calm your soul is simply risible.

Cost: from Pounds 40 a session.

Any benefit? 0

DETOXING

What's the big idea? We live in a toxic world, where pollution places enough of a burden on Corbis our body before we bombard it with substances such as junk food, alcohol, coffee, drugs, pesticides residues and chemically based body lotions.

Giving up all the above gives our bodies a break, with knock-on health benefits including losing weight and gaining energy.

But... Many people feel better for cleaning up their diets, but there is no evidence that detoxing is necessary or helpful.

Cost: nothing if you're fasting.

You'll spend more than usual on fruit and vegetables, but will save on alcohol and red meat.

Any benefit? ***

ATKINS DIET

What's the big idea? Cutting back on carbohydrates, particularly refined carbs, while freely eating fatty foods, forces the body to burn fat in a process known as ketosis.

But... Yes, it works, but most people see Atkins as a licence to binge on foods high in saturated fats such as steaks and fry-ups.

Consuming vast amounts of protein places a strain on the kidneys and dieticians will tell you it is reckless to eliminate any food group from your diet. It also causes bad breath.

Cost: a noticeable addition to your shopping bill.

Any benefit? **

JOGGING

What's the big idea? Burn off stress alongside excess calories. And high-impact exercise stimulates bone growth, vital for avoiding osteoporosis.

But... Any repeated high-impact exercise is going to impact on the skeleton, exacerbating incipient problems in the knees, hips and the lower back.

The impact also affects facial muscles, causing sagging.

Cost: free, once you've bought the trainers.

Any benefit? ***

FENG SHUI

What's the big idea? Feng shui is the art of living in harmony with your environment, thus allowing a natural flow of energy, or qi, around your home, to promote health, wealth and happiness.

But... Hugely popular in the Nineties, but no one has yet managed to prove that it works.

Cost: Consultations from Pounds 50.

Any benefit? 0

FOOD COMBINING

What's the big idea? Eating protein, carbohydrates and fats all at the same time hinders the body's ability to digest and use the foods.

Follow the rules for which food groups can be "combined" and you will feel better and lose weight.

But... There is no scientific evidence that this holds true. The body, say most nutritionists, was designed to eat all food groups simultaneously - but don't tell that to the millions of adherents of the system.

Cost: allow Pounds 10 for the book that tells you how to do it.

Any benefit? *

STRETCHING MUSCLES BEFORE EXERCISE

What's the big idea? Warming up muscles before exercise is vital preparation to avoid injury But... Research has shown that such movements may hinder performance and even cause muscle damage.

Cost: five minutes of your time.

Any benefit? ***

MAGNET THERAPY

What's the big idea? Our whole body is dependent for life on the influence of magnetic energy. Static or pulsed energy can increase the efficiency of all internal organs while stimulating blood flow.

But... Hard to believe, but anecdotally, users report astonishing success with everything from insomnia to joint pain. Clinical trials confirmed that placing magnets on the abdomen significantly eases period pain.

Cost: from Pounds 25 for "Senza" antiperiod-pain magnet.

Any benefit? ****

HOMEOPATHY

What's the big idea? The "like for like" principle: treating an ailment with an infinitesimally small amount of a substance which, in larger doses, would cause the same ailment is said to cure it. Homeopathy is increasingly popular and is available on the NHS.

But... It's the placebo effect, says mainstream medical practice.

Technically, it shouldn't work. But studies have found it to be remarkably effective against allergies such as hayfever.

Cost: individual remedies, from Pounds 4 a bottle,consultations from Pounds 40.

Any benefit? ***

PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR MILD-TOMODERATE BACK PAIN

What's the big idea? Bad posture, deskwork and lack of exercise all contribute to weakening the postural muscles along the back. When the back suddenly "goes", these muscles go into spasm. The Royal College of General Practitioners recommends physiotherapy to rehabilitate these muscles, to avoid future back pain.

But... A recent study found that people with mild-to-moderate back pain did as well when simply given advice on how to stay active as when they visited a physiotherapist.

Cost: from Pounds 30 a session.

Any benefit? ***

(c)2004. Associated Newspapers Ltd.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.