Following reports that a health content creator was hospitalized after suffering esophageal burns due to her digestive health recipes, one TikTok user is sharing her own experience.
In a video that has been viewed over 2.5 million times, Lutinii (@lutinii) details how a strange recipe landed him in the emergency room.
“You better be careful what you listen to health and wellness influencers,” Rutigny begins, “or you might end up in the hospital like me.”
Rutiny, who has followed the “famous health and wellness creator” for six years, said the creator was in the process of “healing his body from a chronic illness” and that she empathized with his situation.
“I became interested in her content and started listening to some of her tips,” says Rutigny.
Then the fateful day came when Lutinii came across a particularly intriguing recipe video from an influencer who wouldn’t be named.
“I came across a video where she said that sprinkling cinnamon and cayenne pepper on oranges and eating them with the skin on can help with digestion,” Rutigny explains.
Not only was the drug “totally unpleasant to take,” Rutini said, but it also made her feel ill and eventually landed her in hospital.
But the results were worse than just an upset stomach.
“I had to see a specialist and I had an endoscopy which revealed I had actually burned my esophagus,” Rutini said, as the video screen read: “I suffered for months.”
Rutini said her medical nightmare happened several years ago, but she recalled the video’s creator reposting it recently. [millions] “A lot of people are asking her for information,” she said.
“I’m not saying holistic approaches aren’t appropriate in most cases, but they’re not for everyone; everyone has a different body type, genetics and health history,” Rutini says.
At the end of the video, Rutini urges viewers to be careful and responsible when trying out hacks recommended by online influencers.
“I think it’s the responsibility of content creators to be careful, but I also think we have a responsibility to look closely and not take everything we see with a grain of salt,” she says.
She ended by declaring, “This is the last time we’ll be listening to health and wellness influencers.”
Follow This is a warning not to believe everything you see on the internet, no matter what the circumstances. Just because someone has a lot of followers doesn’t mean they can give you advice. Not everyone’s body is the same, and nothing fits everyone!!!! Be careful #chronicillness #storytime #healthandwellness
♬ Monkeys Spinning Around – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin the Monkey
Who is she talking about?
While Rutiny did not reveal the name of the influencer whose recipe she used, viewers were quick to identify the influencer as Lil Sipper (@lilsipper_official), a popular health and wellness content creator whose videos feature holistic recipes and tips with a focus on improving digestive health.
In May 2022, Lil Shipper shared a video of a recipe that promises to relieve constipation “in about five minutes”: eating a navel orange, skin and all, liberally sprinkled with cayenne pepper and cinnamon.
The comments on the video are filled with viewers commenting on Rutini’s health concerns.
“Came from a video of someone who was hospitalized,” one viewer wrote.
“Is this going to cover emergency room costs?” another joked.
Follow I posted a detailed explanation on IG 🍊🌶 #constipation #relieveconstipation #constipation
♬ Original Sound – Lilsipper
Would the hack help?
Although the Lil’ Supper recipe turned out to be disastrous for Rutigny, its ingredients — orange, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon — each have significant benefits for digestive health.
As registered dietitian Alexis Spann explains in an article for Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, cayenne pepper “can really help” with digestion.
“It increases the production of gastric juices and enzymes in your stomach, which help break down food,” Spann says.
High in vitamin C and fiber, navel oranges offer a variety of health benefits, including aiding digestion. According to Healthline, one orange provides 10 percent of your daily fiber needs.
Cinnamon also has digestive benefits: According to BBC Good Food, the spice has prebiotic properties, which means that when consumed regularly, it may help “restore the balance of gut bacteria, support digestive health and alleviate digestive problems.”
Commenters on Rutigny’s video were outraged by what some saw as irresponsibility from a health content creator promoting potentially unsafe recipes, and urged consumer caution.
“I don’t understand why anyone would listen to strangers on the internet about their health. No one believes them!” one viewer wrote.
“My parents told me not to believe everything you see on TV. Now we have the internet,” another replied.
“People need to trust the experts and turn to nutritionists for diet and nutrition advice not influencers. Glad you’re ok!” a third commenter commented.
With the number of health and wellness influencers on the rise and new fast-recovery recipes emerging daily, it remains important for audiences to practice critical consumption to protect themselves.
One comment said, “This is a great reminder for everyone to do their own research!”
The Daily Dot reached out to Rutiny and Lil Shipper via direct messages on TikTok and Instagram for more information.
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