While casually scrolling streaming platforms, the web series ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ caught my attention. I was one of those religiously downing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water first thing every morning. Although little scientific evidence supports its extravagant health claims, the concoction has become a full-scale fad – the ‘magic potion’ often peddled by social media wellness gurus.
Loosely based on the terrifying real-life story of Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer from Australia, this Netflix series is an alarm bell for anyone blindly taking medical advice from unqualified sources. Gibson famously claimed she cured her terminal brain cancer with alternative therapies and nutrition—though she never actually had cancer. Based entirely on falsehood and deception, she built a massive following. She managed to create a business empire by preying on the vulnerability of gullible followers.
Though not every influencer is a Belle Gibson chasing a quick buck; some may simply be advocating therapies for getting attention and ‘likes’. In one viral social media video, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was seen crediting alternative remedies like neem and haldi (turmeric) and a strict diet plan for his wife’s cancer recovery. The director of Tata Memorial refuted his claim in a statement on X signed by 262 oncologists. The doctors clarified that Sidhu’s wife was cured with proven treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, not just lifestyle changes.
The fact is social media is a minefield of quack cures, dubious health trends, and bizarre treatments for all kinds of issues—from weight loss to skin radiance, and even cures for deadly diseases like cancer. Scroll for five minutes, and you’ll find a dozen self-proclaimed experts promising a quick fix, all of whom recommend a ‘natural cure’.
But we must understand that ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean safe and effective. The cures propagated by unqualified influencers can have disastrous side-effects. A few years ago, under the influence of a random online tip, I started consuming five glasses of water every morning, supposedly to flush out toxins. I am unsure what good it did, but it certainly increased urgency and frequency of my visits to the washroom.
Some seemingly harmless wellness trends, like a high-protein diet, intermittent fasting, and increased water intake, may do more harm than good when taken to the extreme. For example, taking a pinch of black salt with ajwain (carom seeds) in curd everyday for improving digestion may appear appealing, but it can dangerously spike the blood pressure (BP) of a hypertensive person.
The fact is overconsumption of supplements and vitamins that many of us pop mindlessly can also be risky. Qualified medical practitioners and nutritionists tell that supplements can be life-enhancing only when taken in right dose and precise duration. Prolonged and high dose of any vitamin whether E or D, even iron and magnesium can cause toxicity.
Lately, there has been a glut of videos and reels elucidating the benefits of intermittent fasting. However, assuming a one-size-fits-all approach is a myth. Qualified doctors warn that fasting may harm diabetic patients and may aggravate problems for those prone to acidity. While the benefit of obsessively limiting eating window to a few hours a day may be debatable, there can be no doubt about the advantage of restricting screen time. That is one ‘fast’ that will surely increase physical activity and improve mental agility.
Talking about fad foods and diets that are seen trending online, we must remember that our health is not a trend. It is not a hashtag. We must be cautious of the unverified health advice given by self-proclaimed wellness experts on social media platforms. Their advice may be free, but our health is not. It is too precious to be left in the hands of unqualified quacks. I end the piece with an age-old, time-tested proverb: ‘Neem hakeem khatra e jaan’ (“A half-doctor is a threat to life”).
(Published in Woman’s era February 2026 issue)
The last sentence of your Article is crux of your valuable views in this writeup Dear Rama!!Though I do believe in some age old home remedies told by my mother like taking haldi wala milk for quick healing,Adrak tulsi tea in winter but I certainly don’t believe in any tom dick and Harry giving health remedies on social media. Your caution is very important,meaningful and thoughtful!!Well done and well written article as always.
Absolutely Neelam ‘Dadi / nani maa ke nuskhe ‘ . Traditional time-tested simple home remedies passed on from one generation to another, we all trust .
However,these are quite different from the diets/ foods and fads trending on social media about which we need to be cautious.
Neelam, I can never thank you enough for your constant encouragement and support.
Rama, you go to Facebook, Instagram etc and half the time you tend to listen to the so called doctors and advisors or so called experts. At some point of time one does get into the dragnet only to realise that one is awfully befooled. Dadi Maa ke Nuske are age old tested remedies emanated from our simple village lives as during those good old days we had Vaids and Hakeems . Wisdom lies in avoiding these webs. Your article may sound mundane but captivating in truth.
Thank you so much Narinder. Glad the article resonated with you .
There is no dearth of wellness gurus on social media . From Instagram and Facebook, the free medical advice percolates to WhatsApp.And at times we tend to get carried away .
Rama, this social issue was long due to the discussed on this platform. We can call it … What’s app or facebook doctor. Now AI doctor. There are so many qualified doctors who have spent their golden period of life and a lot of money for studies. Practice makes a man perfect is still true. I totally agree with you. Keep writing such articles dear.
Well said Neelam . There is no dearth of social media doctors.
I remember during Covid there were so many self-styled experts giving unmasked advice on treatment of the virus. All kinds of cures -allopathic, homeopathic, ayurvedic, naturopathy- were going round the social media. I can’t forget a funny post ,”I have just finished my post-doctorate on corona virus treatment from WhatsApp University.”
Very well articulated Rama. I feel that people are just making videos to increase their popularity. If we listen to these wellness experts we would not be able to eat anything or if we follow the advice of home remedies then the the whole day you keep on eating and drinking various herbal waters/tea/ ghia juice/ neem karela water and so on. You have come out with a very mindful article. Enjoyed reading it too. You handle the subject in a manner that it becomes interesting.
Thanks Alka. Enjoyed reading your comment.I loved the way you explained how if we follow these self —-proclaimed wellness gurus , either we won’t be able to eat anything or will be busy eating or preparing one or the other thing all day long .😀😉😀
Very well written. dear Rama. People on Instagram and all social media are busy minting money by spreading false information. People don’t trust the qualified doctors but blindly follow these quacks.
I think some check is a must by health authorities to check this practice
Thanks Renu for your encouraging response.
It is indeed sad that people are depending upon social media quacks rather than consulting qualified doctors.
Great job Rama dear…..
You dig deep into issues related to our day-to-day life. transform them into interesting articles with your magical touch …… quite a few of us very intently read or watch such posts and videos…l I am sure it is an eye opener for the most gullible..
Thank you so much dear Mrs Dhawan for your encouraging words. Always feel grateful for your loving support. 🙏💕
Such an informative article.
To read about Belle Jebson.
Can not be imagined carrying away n befooling effects of ” Wellness Gurus “..
Your article needs to be read n shared widely for warning n precautionary measures…
Its very disturbing even responsible celebrities are so reckless n propagate so wrongly not mentioning realities of Medicine effects instead singing Haldi effects in recovery….
Very honestly you described your experiences by adopting methods of social media…
I wonder Rma..
We have been using hundreds of product in our kitchen since birth..
N how choosing one shall bring miracle..????
Its really eye opening to have reality checks before….
Enjoyed reading every word.. Its truth.. N powerful impact..
Be blessed.. 💐
Thank you so much di . No one can match the way you read each and every sentence with interest and give your detailed response. Always look forward to your comment.
In gratitude🙏
Nice interesting article. You have thrown light on cropping up problems nowadays. With more advanced technology , we have to be more discriminative to see if the information given is genuine or not. The talks on which cooking seed oil is best or it is pure olive oil and if eggs are dangerous for health etc are still going on. Also the news being broadcast is false or AI generated….. all these badgerings will carry on.
Anyway keep up your spirit of writing. 👍
Thanks Anshula for your insight . Yes with all kind of information being bombarded on various platforms, we need to be cautious.
Rama ma’am,Once I was obsessed with health.I also tried apple cider vinegar in morning before going to morning walk,I used to have meal with no salt , no sugar to balance my BP and no oily greasy food.I discontinued it after some time.Apple cider vinegar bottle is still as it was in my kitchen.
Madam, Your write ups are meant for simple, innocent middle class common people. I relate myself to it and enjoy reading it.
What a beautiful start of the day with your kind words. Thanks Garima.
Not everything circulating on social media may be wrong, but one can’t be sure . There is lot of misinformation, exaggerated claims being made . One needs to be cautious.