German DW fact check… ‘Beware’ of hundreds of false information on TikTok
Turmeric efficacy appears at a specific dose of a specific extract.
Collagen is mostly derived from animals… Absorption effect is also unclear
“Supplements that make you smarter by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the brain, turmeric powder that prevents arthritis and lowers the chance of developing cancer, collagen that gives elasticity to the skin and nail hair… ”
German public media outlet Deutsche Welle (DW) launched a ‘fact check’ on the 3rd (local time) in response to the widespread presence of videos making such claims on social media. DW cited an expert and pointed out, “Many people regard dietary supplements (dietary supplements) as a type of natural medicine and use them for treatment and alleviation of diseases.”
He added, “Health supplements are only intended to supplement essential ingredients that are not consumed sufficiently in the diet.”
Health supplements are not pharmaceuticals and are therefore poorly regulated in terms of safety and quality. Additionally, health supplement ingredients may not contain the amount specified on the package. In particular, it is difficult to fact-check and monitor hundreds of videos and posts posted on social media.
As a result of DW’s own investigation of videos about health supplements posted on TikTok, false information about the health benefits of health supplements was found everywhere.
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Will taking supplements make you smarter?
A TikTok video posted in September last year with 1.7 million views claims, “You are not stupid, but you have trouble concentrating because there is not enough blood circulation in your brain.” He then recommends that L-theanine and magnesium will be helpful. It was added that the plant extract ‘Bacopa monnieri’ improves memory by increasing the level of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain.
However, this turned out to be false. Friederike Schmidt, a nutritionist at the University of Lübeck, said, “It looks professional because it explains the metabolic process in detail, but the claim that consuming Bacopa monnieri improves memory due to increased acetylcholine in the brain is false,” adding, “There has been no methodologically valid research.” He pinched himself.
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Is turmeric a miracle cure?
In a video with over 1.5 million views, a TikToker says, “Dissolving turmeric powder in water and drinking it helps with eczema.” It is also explained that turmeric detoxifies toxins, prevents arthritis, and reduces the likelihood of developing cancer. This video was posted in November last year and received over 500 comments.
DW confirmed that this video is also false. Research has been conducted on the active ingredient ‘curcumin’ of turmeric, and research results have shown that certain turmeric extracts have anti-inflammatory effects when consumed in specific doses. However, because this effect was studied on turmeric extract, not simple turmeric, the efficacy on humans may vary. “We’re still a long way from getting to the point where we can say for sure that turmeric helps,” Schmidt explains.
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Collagen improves skin, hair, nails, and joints?
Dozens of videos on the efficacy of collagen were also confirmed. One video with 2.5 million views claims, “Collagen improves skin and nails and makes hair stronger.” Another video explains that collagen helps joints.
DW reported that this was also false. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that plays an important role in bones, joints, and muscles. Additionally, health supplements containing collagen are mainly extracted from animals. DW said, “It is not clear how well our body will accept collagen supplied from outside.”
One of the well-known benefits of collagen, its skin regeneration effect, also requires further research. According to consumer experts cited by DW, advertisements claiming that collagen helps ‘joint’ function have not been approved in the European Union (EU).
Glow25, a German collagen powder manufacturer, was sued for using the slogan ‘Healthy Bones and Joints.’ Glow25 acknowledged that it does not guarantee that collagen powder will improve skin, hair or nails.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.