The sheer amount of health and wellness products on the market today can be overwhelming and confusing. With so many things claiming to be good for our health, it can be difficult to ignore the noise and know what really works.
There is also concern that many people get their health information from social media, which is flooded with advertising through brands and content makers.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago found that nearly half of the TikTok videos analyzed contained non-factual information, and many of the misleading videos were traced back to influencers without medical qualifications. did.
Which new survey? It is intended to provide some clarity regarding the nutritional labeling of these products.
Consumer experts extensively researched popular and emerging health products, including vitamin shots, detox teas, collagen creams, and functional mushrooms.
Here’s what we found:
vitamin shots
Which one? Researchers have determined that vitamin supplements commonly found on the shelves of supermarkets and cafe chains are “not very good” for the planet, your wallet or your health.
The charity found that “many” vitamin shots cost more than £2 for 60ml, which is the same price per ml as a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne. Also, the main ingredient in these products is fruit juice.
“Most of the content is not necessary for people with a healthy, balanced diet.” Which? Experts say buying vitamin supplements is “an expensive way to get vitamins.” He writes that he concludes that there is.
detox tea
Detox teas have been around for a while, but they became all the rage around 2019 after celebrities promoted them on social media for weight loss purposes.
Despite being debunked many times over the years, some brands still sell “detox” teas that claim to help “cleanse” the body of toxins. . But the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said: “Which one?” Its position is that “no product can detoxify the human body.”
The kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin are hard-working organs that detox regularly every day.
collagen cream
In recent years, the popularity of collagen creams and supplements has skyrocketed. Some studies have shown that collagen supplements may benefit bones, joints, and skin, but which ones? notes that these claimed benefits “are currently unproven in large-scale independent studies with numerous brand-funded trials.”
Dr Tibi Maltap, from the British Cosmetic Dermatology Group, told the group that collagen creams are useless because the collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the outer layers of the skin. Some manufacturers break down molecules into peptides, but these are “unlikely” to produce long-term changes.
hair removal shampoo and oil
The importance of hair to a person’s self-esteem and well-being is well-documented, with a recent study by health and wellness platform Hims finding that 1 in 10 men have broken up with their partner because of a receding hairline. It shows that they are worried about losing their child.
This fear of losing hair means it’s a huge market. The same survey found that one in ten men would be willing to pay up to £5,000 for a hair loss solution.
Trends such as rosemary oil to prevent hair loss and other shampoos and serums that claim to “revitalize” hair are popular on social media. However, evidence of the effectiveness of these products is lacking. If you’re concerned about hair loss or thinning, talk to your doctor or trich specialist about the best treatment options.
functional mushrooms
From those touted as “coffee replacements” to daily vitamin supplements, mushroom-based health products are everywhere. According to Grand View Research, this is predicted to be the fastest growing segment of the wellness market in the coming years.
However, research shows that many of the health benefits promoted by these products are based on a variety of commonly proven ingredients, such as omega-3, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, rather than the mushrooms themselves. It turns out that there are often
Lucy Kerrison, a nutritionist at King Edward VII’s Hospital, recently told Yahoo UK that many people would benefit from improving their diet and eating fresh mushrooms as part of this, rather than taking mushroom supplements. he said.
“What we often see in these types of studies comparing supplements and whole foods is that the whole food is much more beneficial compared to the concentrated ingredients,” she said.
targeted painkillers
Which one? We have determined that products marketed as “targeted pain relievers” are a “waste” of money, as it is “impossible” to target specific areas of pain.
The charity said it was told by Dr Andrew Moore, a leading pain expert and former senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, that it was “impossible to prescribe for headaches, joint pain or menstrual pain”.
In general, he says, there’s no need to spend more money on a brand-name painkiller that claims to work in a specific area when you can get the same effect from a lower-priced supermarket brand. concluded.
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