Before You Believe a Surprising Claim, Check Who Benefits

A study funded by a sugar company finds sugar isn't so bad. A "report" from a company selling supplements finds you desperately need more vitamins. This isn't necessarily fraud — funding shapes which questions get asked and which results get published, often without anyone lying outright. The bias hides in what gets studied and what gets left out.

Next time a surprising claim crosses your feed, spend thirty seconds finding who paid for it or who profits if you believe it. It doesn't make the claim false — but it tells you how much scrutiny it deserves before you repeat it.