Why putting raw potato in your socks won’t remove toxins—and other social media wellness "tips" you can safely ignore. Photo: Silja Goetz At some point, most of us have typed our symptoms into Dr. Google against our better judgment. Now Dr. TikTok, Dr. Instagram, and Dr. YouTube have entered the chat, with creators making claims about nutrition, hormones, immunity, and more. Some are licensed medical professionals, and some are “wellness experts” who want you to leach out your toxins by putting raw potatoes in your socks. “There’s been a rise in health and science influencers. Many have good intentions—and others do not,” says Jessica Steier, a doctor of public health and the founder of The Unbiased Science Podcast , which critically examines the evidence for various health claims. These “experts” may proffer misinformation that’s at best a waste of time (and potatoes) and at worst truly harmful. Other health creators—even some MDs—are only interested in selling you products. To help suss out suspect info, we asked legit members of medical social media to debunk five of the most viral myths.
01 of 05 Certain health foods are not actually healthy.
THE DEBUNKER: Nicole Rodriguez, registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer
What’s not to love about good old oatmeal ? Nutritious and filling, it’s a go-to for many health-conscious eaters. But on social media, the beloved breakfast has its share of haters—mainly the type of low-carb-living evangelists who label plant-based foods as poisonous. They insist oatmeal raises your blood sugar so high, you might as well eat a candy bar.
“Oatmeal increases blood sugar, but that’s our body’s normal response to any carb-containing food,” Rodriguez says. “The real story is that most Americans need more whole grains and fiber. ” Almost all U.S. adults (95%) skimp on fiber, and we need it because it’s linked to improved heart health and digestion. A one-cup serving of cooked oats packs four grams—about 15% of your daily requirement. If blood sugar is a concern, combine oats with protein (like a poached egg or egg whites) and a plant-based fat (like avocado ) to […]
5 Health Myths You Should Stop Believing, According to Doctors