Anahad O’Connor

Anahad O'Connor is a health columnist who writes about food and nutrition for The Washington Post's Well+Being desk. Before joining The Post in 2022, he was a staff reporter for the New York Times, where he spent two decades covering health and science. He also has experience on the Times' metro, politics, and breaking news desks. O'Connor graduated from Yale University with a degree in psychology and a focus on neuroscience before starting his journalism career at the New York Times.

Biography:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/anahad-oconnor/

74%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.

Bias

90%

Examples:

  • The author appears to have a focus on the negative health effects of certain foods and eating patterns.

Conflicts of Interest

50%

Examples:

  • There is no clear evidence of conflicts of interest in the author's reporting.

Contradictions

85%

Examples:

  • Studies mentioned in the articles show contradictory results on the effects of intermittent fasting on heart health.
  • The author reports that ultra-processed plant foods increase health risks but also states that minimally processed plant foods have protective effects against cardiovascular disease.

Deceptions

80%

Examples:

  • The article on intermittent fasting contains a deceptive statement about the weight loss and health benefits claims made by celebrities and health experts.
  • The author uses sensationalist language to describe the risks of certain foods, potentially misleading readers.

Recent Articles

New Study: Following Planetary Health Diet Linked to Lower Rates of Premature Death and Environmental Sustainability

New Study: Following Planetary Health Diet Linked to Lower Rates of Premature Death and Environmental Sustainability

Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024 New study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that following the Planetary Health Diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods and modest meat and dairy consumption, can lower premature death rates from chronic diseases by 30% while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29%. Adherence to this diet also decreases cropland use by 51% and fertilizer needs by 21%. Key components include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and unsaturated plant oils. The study underscores the connection between human and planetary health.
New Study: Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Foods Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Early Death

New Study: Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Foods Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Early Death

Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024 A new study in The Lancet Regional Health Europe reveals that ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as meat substitutes and pastries, increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and early death by 5% to 13%. Replacing these with fresh, frozen, or minimally processed plants reduces the risk by 7% for cardiovascular disease and 13% for heart disease-related deaths.
New 30-Year Study: Limiting Consumption of Processed Meats, Sugary Foods and Drinks Linked to Lower Risk of Death

New 30-Year Study: Limiting Consumption of Processed Meats, Sugary Foods and Drinks Linked to Lower Risk of Death

Broke On: Wednesday, 08 May 2024 A 30-year study of over 100,000 adults reveals that high consumption of ultra-processed foods like processed meats, sugary drinks, and dairy-based desserts increases mortality risk by 4%, with a higher risk (9%) for neurodegenerative deaths. A healthy diet rich in whole foods is key to reducing death risk. Previous research links ultra-processed diets to 32 damaging health outcomes, including cancer, heart and lung conditions, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and early death.
Ultra-Processed Foods: Unmasking the Health Risks and Premature Mortality

Ultra-Processed Foods: Unmasking the Health Risks and Premature Mortality

Broke On: Wednesday, 08 May 2024 Ultra-processed foods, including instant macaroni and cheese, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate bars, and processed meats, have been linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and even premature death. A large study involving 115,000 people found that those who consumed large amounts of ultra-processed foods were more likely to die prematurely. Modern food manufacturers heavily process ingredients to incentivize increased consumption despite the potential health risks.
Intermittent Fasting Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Disease, Study Finds

Intermittent Fasting Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Disease, Study Finds

Broke On: Monday, 18 March 2024 Intermittent fasting, a popular weight loss strategy that limits food intake to certain times, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. A study found people who followed an eight-hour eating plan had a higher risk of dying from heart disease compared to those on traditional diets. The increase in risk applied to individuals with existing cardiovascular disease or cancer and was associated with less lean muscle mass.