The following appeared in the summary of a study on headaches suffered by the residents of Mentia.

“Salicylates are members of the same chemical family as aspirin, a medicine used to treat headaches. Although many foods are naturally rich in salicylates, for the past several decades food-processing companies have also been adding salicylates to foods as preservatives. This rise in the commercial use of salicylates has been found to correlate with a steady decline in the average number of headaches reported by participants in our twenty-year study. Recently, food-processing companies have found that salicylates can also be used as flavor additives for foods. With this new use for salicylates, we can expect a continued steady decline in the number of headaches suffered by the average citizen of Mentia.”

The conclusion made after study on headache suffered by resident of Mentia does not seems to be logical. Salicylates which belong to the same chemical family as aspirin. The first argument, that as aspirin is used as medicine to traet headache, Salicylates will also have the similar effect as that of aspirin. This is not completely true for all chemical families. For example all the hydrocarbons are not combustible as the hydrocarbons like methane, butane. So the it is not conclsuive unless authorize and proven by biologist that Salicylates have the similar effect as apirin. Also, even if the Salicylates contains anti headache compounds, the extent of effect is not studied.

T he second argument that many foods are naturally rich in Salicylates, it is also used for past few decades by for food preservation by  food processing companies. The study shows that data is correlated to the decline in the number of reported headache cases by the participant. It is not clear from the above para that Salicylates are used in preserving which kind of food i.e. Sweets, fruits etc. So the participant groups for which the para is referring to may not be having the food habits where Salicylates are used for food processing.

Also, adding to the previous argument that participant group has shown in lesser number of reported headache, the study does not show their living style, other food habits, age group etc. So the decline in the reported headache cases can be reason of any of the listed reasons. Moreover the study does not talks about any of their physical health symptoms i.e. allergy, body pain etc. The study has not collected the data of any of their behavioural pattern like angryness.

The last argument that food processing industry has found that Salicylates compounds can be used for adding flavor to the food. So the rise in Salicylates substance in food component will further reduce the headache cases for the resident of Mentia. This argument does not stand correct because using any chemical substance in excess to the prescribed limit causes problem in the healthy life. Like aspirin, if it is taken more than the prescribed limit causes excess sleep, nausea etc.

So, after analysing all the arguments given after the study on headache suffered by resident of Mentia is totally incorrect. First of all the data is incomplete to give any conclusion on effect of Salicylates on health And although there are few indicators that using Salicylates can reduce headache cases but it is not certified by the biologist who study the effect of chemicals on health. Also before giving the final conclusion it has to be studied on living being under laboratory condition. So, before concluding that usage of Salicylates on Resident of Mentia, it should be studied by biological scientist.