Avoid These Celebrity-Endorsed Health Trends, Experts Say
Since celebrities have to stay fit, they try out many different diet and exercise routines. When they try health trends, other people pick them up. But just because a celebrity does it doesn't mean that it's healthy. Some models, actresses, and even athletes promote habits that are unhealthy.
From the lemonade diet to "clean eating" to appetite-suppressant lollipops, celebrities have advertised a wide range of weird health trends. Some are only ineffective, while others could cause organ damage. Experts explain why you should never trust these celebrity health tips.
Beyoncé's Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet Won't Work
In 2017, Beyoncé repurposed the Master Cleanse Diet from the 1940s, better known as the lemonade diet. It requires people to drink lemonade with maple syrup and cayenne for up to two weeks. Although the diet initially claimed to detoxify, Beyoncé uses it to lose weight. Registered dietitian Audrey Young says that it is dangerous.
Because the lemonade diet has little protein, you can develop nutrient deficiencies and a slower metabolism. There is also no evidence that it detoxifies the body. "At the end of the day, all you're giving yourself is lemon and sugar," says celebrity fitness expert Latreal Mitchell.
Why Bulletproof Coffee Shouldn't Replace Breakfast
Harry Styles recently adopted Dave Asprey's diet trick of drinking bulletproof coffee in the place of breakfast. Bulletproof coffee combines coffee, butter, and MCT oil to "energize your body." While it can fill you up more than regular coffee, nutritionists say that it can't trump breakfast.
Registered dietitian Amanda Baker Lemein says that butter can fill you a bit and provide some nutrients. But it does not "energize" you more than a protein-filled breakfast. It also adds saturated fat, which most Americans need less of, according to the American Heart Association.
Tom Brady Doesn't Eat Potatoes And Tomatoes
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have made many changes to their diets: they excluded meat, alcoholic drinks, and coffee. Oddly, they have also stopped eating nightshade vegetables. Nightshades include tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Allen Campbell, Brady's personal chef, says that he avoids nightshade vegetables because they "cause inflammation."
Brady believes that a chemical in nightshade, called solanine, can aggravate inflammation. But the Arthritis Foundation argues that there is no evidence to support this. Although solanine is toxic in high amounts, it's perfectly safe in vegetables. In fact, many nightshades (such as mushrooms) combat inflammation.
Don't Trust Appetite-Suppressant Lollipops
In 2018, Kim Kardashian posted about suppressant lollipops made by the company FlatTummy. The post got a lot of flack, and for a good reason. Sports nutrition specialist Dawn Jackson Blatner notes that FlatTummy does not clarify what these lollipops are made of. The FDA has not approved these candies.
FlatTummy does mention the ingredient satiereal, which is extracted from saffron. Registered dietitian Rekha Kumar says that one small study has linked saffron to a lower appetite. But that is not enough evidence to support these pops. It's also not a healthy approach to weight loss or nutrition.
Some Actresses Avoid Cardio, For Some Reason
Believe it or not, both Kristin Cavallari and Alison Brie have stopped doing cardio workouts. Cavallari said that, since she didn't need to lose weight, "it's about building and maintaining muscle." But whether or not you want to lose weight, you should never cut out cardio.
Michele Olson, a sports science professor at Huntington College, says that cardio offers benefits that weightlifting doesn't. It builds stamina and keeps the heart healthy. According to Cleveland Clinic, it also nourishes your brain, clears your skin, improves blood sugar, and helps you sleep.
Ignore Miranda Kerr's "Clean Eating" Advice
Model Miranda Kerr and actress Jessica Alba have both endorsed "clean eating." They advocate eating only "clean foods," including processed meals, refined sugars, and non-organic produce. While this sounds healthy in theory, nutritionists worry that people on this diet have the wrong mindset.
"When you say that a food is 'clean,' it implies that other foods are dirty, shameful, and bad for you," said nutrition expert Dr. Clare Morrison. People on this diet may crave "dirty" foods and feel guilty after eating them. Plus, people have different opinions on what is "clean," making the entire diet very confusing.
The Side Effects Of Caffeinated Lotions
Actress Salma Hayek caught peoples' attention when she said that her skincare routine includes caffeinated lotion. Caffeine can tighten skin and alleviate dark circles, says nutrition and fitness expert Len Lopez. But it also comes with some unexpected side effects.
Dermatologist Susan Obagi told Self that caffeinated lotions might cause "rebound redness." Just as the body gets used to coffee, the skin becomes used to caffeine. If you use the cream every day, your blood vessels will dilate without it, causing noticeable redness. If you get caffeinated lotion, you'd better commit.
Don't Wear Kardashian Waist Trainers
Thank the Kardashian and Jenner families for waist trainers--corsets that you wear during exercise. Waist trainers supposedly morph the body into an hourglass shape. In the best case, these trainers restrict breathing to make exercise harder. In the worst case, waist trainers can damage your internal organs.
Plastic surgeon Matthew Schulman explains that the compression presses your rib cage inward. This can cause pain, reflux, and indigestion. Certified Lagree Instructor Casey Palazzo adds that the lack of air can weaken your abdominal muscles. So waist trainers actually make you weaker, not stronger or thinner.
Mariah Carey's "Purple Diet" Isn't Necessary
In 2014, Mariah Carey went on the "purple diet" to lose her baby belly. Three days a week, she ate purple foods such as eggplants, purple carrots, and red cabbage. Does it really work? Sioned Quirke, a spokesperson for British Dietetic Association, says no.
Purple foods do offer benefits, such as the antioxidant anthocyanin that can guard against disease. But Quirke says that eating one type of food is far too restrictive. You'll get more anthocyanin, but you'll miss many other nutrients that will keep you healthy.
Kate Hudson's Alkaline Diet Doesn't Do Much
Kate Hudson reportedly went on the alkaline diet to improve her body's pH level. The diet steers people away from acidic foods, eating only alkaline meals. If this sounds suspicious, that's because it is. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, assert that your diet cannot change your blood's pH.
"Our bodies do a good enough job on their own keeping our pH in check," says registered dietitian Kelly Plowe. There is no evidence that we need to avoid acidic foods. Nutrition expert Traci Roberts adds that eating only alkaline foods can deprive you of some essential nutrients.
Cleansing Your Colon--For What?
Celebrities such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sylvester Stallone have advertised the supposed benefits of colonics, or colon cleansing. They claim that a colon water flush can relieve bloating and aid weight loss. WebMD warns against trying colonics because there is little scientific evidence that they work.
"Many people think by getting rid of fecal material, they are getting rid of toxins in the body," says Dr. Sang Lee of Keck Medicine. "That's not true at all." You may feel initial relief, but that's all. Colon cleansing may lead to dehydration, infection, or even kidney problems.
Why Whole Vegetables Are Better Than Juice Cleanses
Celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Miranda Kerr have endorsed juice cleanses. These fruit and vegetable juices are supposed to "remove toxins" from the body. But the National Health Institute claims that there is no evidence supporting juice cleanses.
"You have built-in detox organs," explains nutrition expert Joan Salge Blake. "The liver and kidney clean up any waste that needs to leave the body." Plus, juicing removes fiber from the fruits and vegetables, according to Harvard Health. If you grind produce, you won't receive as many nutrients.
Avoid Skinny Tea Detoxes
Ever since the Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Cardi B promoted skinny detox teas, they have popped up all over Instagram. These teas promise to suppress your appetite and help you lose weight. But registered dietitian Alyssa Ardolino says that the ingredients don't curb your appetite; they're laxatives.
Many skinny teas contain harsh laxatives, such as nettle and senna plant. Charlotte Kinder, a nutritional therapist for British Association for Nutrition, warns against drinking laxative teas. Over time, they can deplete your intestines of nutrients and dehydrate you. Plus, you probably won't lose much weight in the long run.
Tiffany Haddish Drinks Turpentine To Remove A Cold
Turpentine oil can be applied externally to relieve joint and muscle pain. But in 2018, actress Tiffany Haddish proposed that you can swallow turpentine. She claimed that a teaspoon of turpentine with sugar could get rid of a cold. However, research by the National Institute of Health found that turpentine is highly toxic.
People used to drink turpentine during the Civil War Era, but this home remedy has since been debunked. Registered dietitian Lisa DeFazio says that turpentine can cause harmful side effects, such as vomiting, kidney damage, headache, and bleeding in the lungs.
Shailene Woodley Eats Clay...Yes, Really
In 2014, actress Shailene Woodley advertised an unusual diet: eating clay. She claimed that clay removes toxic metals from the body, which you can apparently smell in your excrement after eating it. But it comes with side effects. Consuming clay may result in mineral deficiencies, intestinal blockages, and lead poisoning, according to WebMD.
Even if clay does remove toxins, it's still unhealthy. Yale researcher Dr. David L. Katz says that removing metals from your body isn't necessarily good. For instance, iron helps your organs and immune system function.
The Downside Of Celery Juice
In 2018, celery juice became the next big health trend, with everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Pharrell Williams to Dean Winters drinking it. Some claim that it has "potent healing properties." As with every other juice trend, there is little evidence that supports celery juice.
Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer says that celery has some disease-fighting flavonoids and minerals. However, most of celery's nutrients and fiber disappear after you juice it. In liquid form, celery has more calories and sugars. If you want the vegetable's nutrients, eat it whole.
Some Experts Don't Endorse Vitamin IV Drops
Rhianna and Chrissy Teigen both went to a hydration therapy center to get vitamin IV drops. With this method, you receive vitamin water straight into your bloodstream. Some experts aren't convinced that it works. "The whole thing is really nonsense," claims Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
If you decide to get IV vitamins, do some research to see which vitamins you can safely receive. Anesthesiologist Jonathann Kuo says that some vitamins can react with medications or each other. Talk to your doctor beforehand.
Simon Cowell Inhales Oxygen Cans
In 2012, Simon Cowell stepped on the red carpet with cans of oxygen. He claimed that inhaling oxygen kept him looking youthful. Mary Purucker, a pulmonary specialist, argues that healthy lungs don't need more oxygen to become healthier. After all, we've lived for millions of years off of 21% oxygen in the atmosphere.
Some oxygen bars claim to reduce stress and remove fatigue. According to the American Lung Association, scientists have found no evidence that inhaling more oxygen does any of this. But unless you have a chronic condition, it shouldn't hurt you, either.
Never Trust Diet Pills
Both Sam Frier and Kim Kardashian have reportedly used diet pills to lose weight. Many diet pill companies claim to "melt" or "absorb" fat. According to WebMD, companies don't have to prove that these pills work before putting them up for sale. Plus, they could come with dangerous side effects.
Futures Recovery Healthcare claims that diet pills can cause kidney issues, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and liver damage. Some diet pill ingredients, including ephedra and Hydroxycut, have been banned by the FDA. Don't trust these pills because celebrities supposedly use them.
Electrical Stimulation Exercise Has Fatal Consequences
Models Ashley Graham and Romee Strijd advertise electrical stimulation (ES) workouts to stay fit. They wear a padded suit that sends electric shocks through the body, causing their limbs to twitch. Apparently, this burns twice as many calories. Yet some health officials, including the Israeli Ministry of Health, have warned against this practice.
Dr. Nicola Maffiuletti denounced ES after a patient came into his office with severe muscle pain. The electric shocks caused rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle fibers break down. Don't waste your money on this potentially dangerous technology.
