Unsubstantiated claims are almost always suspect, and the statement above is no exception. While aspirin and salicylates are members of the same chemical family, they are not equivalent. Although aspirin is used to treat headaches, it is not naturally occurring, nor is it a necessary part of a healthy diet. However, while salicylates are naturally occurring, they are toxic in excessive quantities. For this reason, salicylates have never been used in human diets. All foods naturally rich in salicylates, such as capers, olives, or grapes, are best consumed in small amounts. The safe level of consumption for capers is two dried caper berries per day. While olives and grapes have long been enjoyed as delicacies, the consumption of these fruits is discouraged by health authorities due to their high levels of naturally occurring salicylates. However, it does not appear that the typical Mentian consumes either of these foods in excess.

The study cited above does not directly link the rise in salicylates in food to the steady decline in the number of reported headaches suffered by the residents of Mentia. Although a correlation may exist between salicylates in processed foods and a decrease in the number of headaches suffered by the population, this association is not necessarily causal. Many other factors, such as increased income, improved diet, and fewer stress-related illnesses, may have contributed to the decline in the number of reported headaches. Additionally, because the number of Mentians who participated in the survey was small, any conclusions drawn from the study’s results may be unreliable.

If the study had included more participants, the number of reported headaches might have changed. Although the number of participants was small, the individuals surveyed represented those most likely to suffer headaches. If the number of respondents with headaches increased, the decrease in the number of reported headaches would not necessarily prove the causative link between salicylates in food and the decline in the number of headaches. It should be noted that many foods high in salicylates, such as celery, parsley, and sesame seeds, are consumed regularly by the residents of Mentia. If these fruits and vegetables were removed from their diet, the number of reported headaches would likely increase. In addition, the study did not include data on the consumption of processed foods by residents of Mentia, so the cause of the steady decline in numbers of reported headaches may have been the increase in the use of salicylates in processed foods. A longitudinal study must be performed to determine whether the use of salicylates in food causes a decline in the number of reported headaches. Such a study should include a more significant number of participants and be conducted over a more extended period. In addition, the results must be evaluated statistically.

Statisticians and epidemiologists are specialists in the analysis of large populations of people. They specialize in study design, data collection, and the statistical analysis of their findings. These experts are responsible for evaluating studies such as the one described above, and they are the ones who can determine whether a link between the use of salicylates in food and the steady decline in the number of reported headaches has been proven.