Khaberni - Videos circulating on the TikTok platform reveal a growing wave of unconventional health tips, but health experts warn that many of these popular trends can be misleading or even dangerous to health, pointing out that relying on entertainment platforms for medical information can lead to practices that lack any scientific basis.
Although the platform is primarily known for its entertainment content, thousands of users turn to it for health and wellbeing advice, despite doctors confirming that many of these segments promote scientifically unproven trends, and may cause harm if applied incorrectly.
Absence of scientific reference
In this context, Dr. David Hill, Clinical Research Director at "Waterbury Pulmonary Associates", warns against following these trends, saying: "You must be extremely cautious when using social media for information related to health and wellness".
Hill confirmed that healthcare professionals spend years in education and training to ensure they deliver information based on current scientific principles, while many turn to the internet searching for quick answers to their health problems instead of consulting doctors.
Dangerous health trends
According to experts, many of the recent health trends on TikTok pose a real danger to users' lives, including:
1- "Dry scooping"
The trend of directly placing nutritional supplement powders or "creatine" in the mouth without mixing with water has spread, claiming it accelerates absorption and provides greater energy before workouts.
- Scientific truth: This practice is ineffective and very dangerous, as these powders contain enormous amounts of caffeine and stimulants designed to be slowly absorbed when mixed with water.
- Risks: Inhaling the powder by mistake can lead to lung inflammation, chronic cough, and breathing difficulties. Doctors also warn of recorded cases of heart attacks due to the rapid and intense flow of stimulants in the bloodstream, which raises blood pressure and heart rate suddenly.
2- "Mouth taping"
Some influencers promote the idea of taping the mouth during sleep to force the body to breathe through the nose, claiming it improves sleep quality and shapes the jaw.
- Scientific truth: There is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
- Risks: This procedure poses a serious risk of suffocation, especially for people suffering from sleep apnea or chronic nasal congestion. Moreover, making nose sounds during sleep may be a sign of a chronic medical problem like "sleep apnea", and trying to treat it at home in this manner can deprive the brain and body of necessary oxygen.
3- "Garlic in the nose" for decongestion
Videos also show on "TikTok" the flow of mucus after removing a clove of garlic from the nose, which users consider proof of the experiment's success.
- Medical explanation: Garlic contains substances that irritate the delicate mucous membranes; hence, the flow of mucus is not "cleansing" but rather a defensive reaction of the body to nasal irritation.
- Risks: This can cause damage to the nasal lining, bleeding, and infections, and a clove of garlic can even get stuck in the respiratory tract, requiring surgical intervention.
According to doctors' advice, it is necessary to obtain medical information from reliable sources; if you are looking for health advice online, experts recommend turning to hospital websites, professional organizations, and recognized non-profit institutions, always emphasizing that direct consultation with a specialized doctor remains the only and safest way to maintain health.
