text_1: Regular Fasting May Boost Heart Health
text_2: This story hinted at other factors that might explain the statistical association – but didn’t drive home the limitations of an observational study. It also didn’t point out that such a cross-sectional study (the exposure – fasting – and the outcome – coronary artery disease, as measured by angiography – were measured at the same time) can’t draw any conclusions about causality. Single source stories like this – from a team promoting its current and past line of research – demands independent perspectives. But this story didn’t provide any. Stories about talks at scientific meetings require caveats because the data has not undergone rigorous peer review. Stories about observational studies require more explanation and more careful language than provided in this story.