The Faculty of Health at Université Paris Cité organized the second edition of the Grand Debunk of Health on Thursday, October 8, focusing on nutrition. This interactive event gathered specialists, middle school students, university students, and the general public to confront online information with scientific evidence and promote critical thinking.
Held in the large amphitheater at the Odéon site, the event was fully attended with 340 seats occupied. Discussions were based on videos from YouTube and social media, subjecting advice and claims to scientific analysis to question the reliability of everyday content.
Professors Boris Hansel, an endocrinologist-nutritionist, and Patrick Nataf, a cardiac surgeon and Vice-President for Pedagogical Innovation at Université Paris Cité, led the discussions, fostering direct dialogue and live critical analysis.
The aim was to help participants distinguish convincing claims from scientifically supported information and understand why certain myths spread so easily. Professor Mathieu Cassotti, a developmental psychologist, shed light on these issues, emphasizing that critical thinking is learned and cultivated.
Nutrition, a prevalent topic on social media, was explored from various angles, including the Nutri-Score, food supplements, and apps like Yuka and Open Food Facts. Specialists such as Mathilde Touvier, a professor at Université Paris Cité, Mélanie Deschasaux-Tanguy, and Daniel Tomé contributed their expertise.
Supported by the Faculty of Health at Université Paris Cité and the PUMS channel, in partnership with AP-HP and Le Point newspaper, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and citizens to combat misinformation. Two new editions are planned for spring 2027, one on addictions and another on women's health.
