As you age, you begin to see past the hype around health trends. What was fun or exciting before is generally a time- and money-loss. All of the fads, from super products to gimmick diets, don’t actually keep you healthy. Then, over the years, you realize that simple habits are the ones that make a difference. Here are 10 health fads I’ve given up on—and why you should too.
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Juice Cleanses
Juice cleanses are everywhere and promise to “clean” your body and make you lose weight quick. But drinking just juice for days is bad for you. It makes you sleepy, hungry, and deprived of protein and fiber. All the weight you lose is water, and it comes back the minute you reintroduce normal eating habits. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other healthy food is much better for you.
Detox Teas
Detox teas are promoted as a quick way to slim down and flush toxins. But the majority of them are just laxatives that make you lose water, not fat. When you drink these teas frequently, they will upset your stomach and make you dehydrated. You have your own detox system — your liver and kidneys cleanse you each day without the need of any special tea. Just stick to water and a balanced diet.
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Supplements for Everything
We can easily get wrapped up in the belief that taking supplements will fix everything. Supplements promise anything, from losing weight to increasing energy. Most of them aren’t even science-based, and taking too many is bad for your health. If you are eating a well-rounded diet and diverse foods, you will likely not need most supplements. Doctors will be able to tell you what you might or might not need.
Trendy Diets
New diets such as keto or paleo are exciting because you get results fast. But they also involve eliminating whole food groups which is tough to maintain and makes you groggy and cranky. These diets might work for some, but not for everyone. A healthy diet that consists of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins is easier and healthier.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is available in pills, drinks, toothpaste and so on, promising to cleanse you or make your teeth whiter. You don’t need charcoal unless you’ve been poisoned. It even disrupts the absorption of certain nutrients or medications in your body.
Expensive Superfoods
Foods such as acai berries, chia seeds, and goji berries are known as “superfoods” and can be expensive. They’re healthy but not magical. Ordinary fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, broccoli, and beans are as good and a lot less expensive. You don’t have to waste lots of money to eat right.
Alkaline Water
Alkaline water promises to even out your pH level and make you feel better. But your kidneys and lungs are already pretty good at balancing your body’s pH. Regular water also keeps you hydrated without paying the extra for alkaline water.
Fancy Fitness Gadgets
Fitness gadgets like vibration plates or electric muscle stimulators promise to tone your body in minutes. But these tools generally don’t work quite like that. Health involves regular physical activity such as walking, swimming or doing yoga. There is no magic trick to staying fit.
Anti-Aging Creams
Anti-wrinkle creams promise to smooth away wrinkles and get you looking younger in no time. But most of them merely moisturize your skin and don’t actually do any big things. Protecting your skin with sunscreen, drinking water, and eating well is more efficient and inexpensive.
Celebrity-Endorsed Products
Some celebrities endorse health products as trustworthy. And most of these products are pricier than you’d think and do not bear any scientific legitimacy. When a celebrity says it works, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you. Best to use tried and tested methods such as healthy meals, exercise and sleeping.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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