10 Viral Health Tips You Need to STOP Following

The internet is flooded with so-called "health hacks," but not all of them are backed by science. Some are not only ineffective but can also be dangerous. Here, we debunk 10 popular health myths that you should avoid.

1. Ear Candling – A Dangerous Hoax

Many believe that lighting one end of a hollow candle placed in the ear creates suction to remove earwax. However, studies show that this method does not extract earwax at all. Instead, the wax you see is from the candle itself, not your ear. Worse, it can cause burns, ear canal blockages, and even punctured eardrums.

2. Gallbladder Flush – A Risky Practice

A popular cleanse involves drinking large amounts of olive oil to "flush out" gallstones. However, what appears in the toilet afterward is not gallstones but coagulated bile. This process can lead to severe complications like bile deficiencies and digestion issues. Instead, a safer approach to gallbladder health is taking TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) and bile salts to help dissolve gallstones naturally.

3. The Master Cleanse – A Sugar Trap

This diet, which involves drinking a mix of lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup, is promoted as a detox. However, consuming only this mixture for days leads to blood sugar spikes and crashes, preventing your body from efficiently burning fat. A better detox strategy? Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods, particularly cruciferous vegetables that support liver detoxification.

4. Foot Detox Pads – A Gimmick

These adhesive foot pads supposedly draw out toxins overnight, turning black as a result. However, the dark color is merely a chemical reaction with moisture, not extracted toxins. Your skin does not have detox pathways—your liver and kidneys handle that.

5. Foot Detox Baths – Fake Science

These baths claim to pull toxins from your body through your feet, turning the water murky. However, this effect is due to electrolysis, a reaction between salt and electrodes. The water changes color even without feet in it, proving that toxins are not being removed.

6. Ab Belts – No Shortcut to a Six-Pack

Electrically stimulating abdominal muscles with an ab belt is often marketed as a way to get a toned stomach without exercise. Unfortunately, this does not burn fat or build significant muscle. Visceral fat, the fat stored deep in the abdomen, can only be reduced through proper diet and exercise.

7. Blood Type Diet – No Scientific Basis

This diet claims that your blood type determines which foods are best for you. However, no credible research supports this idea. While eating whole foods improves health in general, your blood type does not dictate whether you should eat more protein or go vegetarian.

8. EMF Blockers – A Waste of Money

Small stickers placed on the back of a phone claim to block electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). However, physicists confirm that these stickers do nothing to prevent EMF radiation. The only way to block EMF waves would be a physical barrier, like a layer of metal, which would also prevent phone signals from working.

9. Carb Blockers – Not a Free Pass for Junk Food

Carb blocker supplements claim to prevent starch absorption, allowing you to eat pasta and bread without weight gain. While some extracts, like white kidney bean extract, may slightly slow digestion, they do not stop all carb absorption. Plus, undigested starch can cause bloating and gas when fermented by gut bacteria.

10. Psychiatric Medications – Questioning the Theory

Antidepressants are widely prescribed based on the theory that depression results from a chemical imbalance of serotonin. However, recent research suggests this theory lacks strong evidence. Additionally, these medications can have severe side effects, including emotional numbness, dependency, and withdrawal issues. In some cases, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is still used, despite its questionable effectiveness and potential harm.

Not all health trends are worth following. Many viral hacks and treatments lack scientific backing and can even be harmful. Instead of chasing the latest fads, focus on well-established health principles: eat whole foods, exercise regularly, and be skeptical of unproven quick fixes.

Have you come across a health myth that turned out to be false? Share your experiences!