Food or Fad?
Did you know that eating three cucumbers a day can age you backward? Or that consuming one gram of artificial sugar a day can cause cancer and type 2 diabetes? There are countless so-called‘diet tricks’ and fads like these that have left thousands of people misinformed about their health and wellness. But what caused this proliferation of fake diet news, and how can we decipher between factual wellness advice and pseudoscience-based misinformation?
The Media
The beginning of the diet craze and wellness fads may trace back to the late 1800s, when people used leeches to cure diseases, or in the 1970s and 80s when women would consume ‘science-based’ bars to lose weight and look fit. However, with social media, these ideas and practices evolved into a sea of online weight loss fads and fake wellness news that have confused the public’s understanding of health. This phenomenon can be seen in videos like “Abs in Seven Days” or “Why Eggs are Bad”, all readily accessible on the internet with just one click. On any given day, scrolling through a social media app like Instagram can expose internet users—of all ages—to a limitless number of videos that make their individual claims: from superfoods that can aid your weight-loss journey, or homemade remedies for illnesses. Some of these posts are particularly dangerous because people are inclined to believe information that appears credible and ‘scientifically-proven’. The reason these are so believable is because of authority bias and a strong understanding of manipulative ethos.
Another form of media that can be deceptive when talking about health and wellness advice is podcasts. In recent years, podcasts have exploded in popularity, with more and more people using podcasts to build their social media platforms and increase visibility. Podcasts often have a credible nature, because they’re normally associated with sophisticated and resource-intensive news panels. Yet, in reality, anyone can start a podcast and talk about whatever they want—accurate or not. To best look after your health and wellness, it’s crucial not to believe everything you see or hear online.
What is Pseudoscience?
Oftentimes, the falsified health information people find on social media is based on pseudoscience: a collection of beliefs or practices that are misleading and mistakenly regarded as being based on science. Pseudoscience can be harmful to any individual who is susceptible to believing misinformation. The use of pseudoscience can often go undetected because of how easily it can “sound” legitimate; many people use long science-sounding words to build a facade of credibility. For example, someone of influence could say that sugar from fruit is bad for you because the sugar can increase your blood sugar levels and inhibit glucagon from functioning properly. While sugar does increase your blood sugar, natural sugars, such as those found in fruit, promote the slow and stable release of energy and provide a wealth of vitamins that support the immune system, including vitamin C and A. Without context, the pseudoscience claims’ use of glucagon and blood sugar creates a false sense of credibility, which can mislead the reader into believing sugar from fruit is bad for you. But why should you believe me? Because this paper was published in a journal? Because I write with conviction? The short answer is: you shouldn’t. Whenever reading something about your health and wellness, a healthy dose of suspicion is crucial. Your health deserves the utmost attention—and a quick Google search to verify through credible sources is a necessity.
Why is Fact-Checking Important?
Fact-checking is important for the individual, not only for health risks applicable to the general population, but specific health needs unique to each individual. There are hundreds of characteristics each person has that make their lifestyle requirements different from others. For example, individuals with diabetes rely on constant regulation and monitoring of spikes and drops in blood sugar; therefore, health trends like intermittent fasting that are benign for some could be ineffective and potentially dangerous. Many fads, diets, and health trends don’t account for individual needs such as physiology, medical conditions, and lifestyle differences. Before you take any advice, even if it is confirmed to be legitimate, make sure to consider whether it is suitable for your own lifestyle.
Some information about health and wellness found in journals, podcasts, or social media can indeed be very accurate and credible. I know because I have implemented health practices from social media that have been game-changers for my quality of life and productivity. This essay is not to dismiss all health advice, but rather to take everything you hear with a grain of salt. To prioritize your health, fact-check something you may be interested in to make sure it fits your needs and lifestyle. With so much misinformation, pseudoscience, and popular fads spreading online, be careful about what you trust. Approach claims critically: your body and well-being are not a trend.