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.
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)
