Healthline: Nutrition Advice vs. Social Media Fads: How to Distinguish Misinformation from Science

“In recent years, diet and nutrition seem to have taken center stage on many social media platforms.

From new supplements and diets to cleanses, recipes, workout routines, and “what I eat in a day” videos, there’s more focus on food, health, and nutrition than ever before.

However, much of this content seems to come from individuals who may not be completely qualified to dole out nutrition advice, including celebrities and online influencers.

One study analyzed about 1.2 million tweets over a 16-month period and found that discourse on diet and nutrition was largely dominated by non-health professionals.

Another study presented at the European Congress on Obesity found that only one of the nine most popular weight loss influencers in the United Kingdom provided trustworthy, credible nutrition advice (2).

Though this may seem alarming, keep in mind that not all information on the internet is harmful and that a variety of reputable resources can provide accurate, evidence-based advice to help you learn more about your health.

However, determining which sources are trustworthy and reliable can be challenging, especially if you’re not sure what to look for and what to avoid.

The risks and dangers of social media nutrition advice

Though some stories, posts, or videos may seem innocent enough, many of the fad diets and supplements popping up on social media can have serious consequences.

For example, officials from the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) recently urged Instagram to crack down on accounts promoting and selling Apetamin, an appetite stimulant often touted by influencers for its ability to enhance curves.

According to the NHS, no action was taken against the dozens of social media accounts that were illegally selling the drug, which is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and has been linked to many severe side effects, including liver toxicity.

Online influencers also often promote “detox teas,” which they claim can help boost metabolism, enhance fat-burning, or remove harmful toxins from your body.

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint with a popular “detox” tea marketer, stating that the company made various health claims that were not backed by evidence, such as that their detox pack could help fight cancer or unclog arteries (5).

Furthermore, the FTC sent out warning letters to 10 influencers who didn’t adequately disclose that they were being paid for promoting the product (6).

Besides making unrealistic health claims, these types of products can have serious side effects and may even be dangerous.

For instance, one case report detailed the treatment of a 51-year-old woman who experienced severe hyponatremia — low levels of sodium in the blood — after using an over-the-counter “detox” tea product.

Similarly, a 60-year-old woman experienced acute liver failure — plus a range of symptoms like jaundice, weakness, and worsening mental status — after drinking a “detox” tea three times daily for 2 weeks.

Restrictive diets can promote disordered eating and mental health challenges

In addition to supplements, restrictive fad diets and cleanses have been heavily promoted on social media.

Not only can these programs increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and other health problems, but they may also negatively affect mental health while fostering an unhealthy relationship with food.

In fact, content from many popular creators tends to glamorize eating disorders, dangerous diets, and other unhealthy habits such as extended fasting, taking questionable supplements, or adopting extreme workout regimens in order to lose weight quickly for an event.

For example, Kim Kardashian recently made headlines after saying that she lost a concerning amount of weight in a short time to fit into a dress originally worn by Marilyn Monroe for the Met Gala, sending a dangerous message to millions of people (12).

Kardashian’s alleged rate of weight loss was much faster than the rate recommended by most professionals: 1/2 pound to 2 pounds per week.

Plus, losing weight for a specific event is symbolic of diet culture and the pressure to prioritize aesthetic thinness over whole body health.

In the past, celebrities such as Kardashian have also been called out for editing their pictures on social media, fostering unrealistic standards of beauty.

Furthermore, many social media trends — such as the “what I eat in a day” videos all over TikTok — can set unrealistic expectations, promote diet culture, and perpetuate an unhealthy obsession with “clean” eating, especially in young people.”