According to a Harvard Health Publication, intermittent fasting is based on the practice of severely restricting calories during certain hours or days of the week in hopes to slow the body’s metabolism and decrease appetite. This diet trend claims to burn fat faster than most diets, reduce overall inflammation and reduce the risks of heart disease. There are several ways to intermittent fast, such as daily fasting for 12-14 hours (or, simply put, skipping breakfast), the 5:2 method where the user eats normally for five days and restricts their consumption to 500-600 calories for two days, or alternating “fast” days with “feast” days where the user consumes a quarter or less of their calorie requirements some days and eats whatever they choose on other days. 

While there have been studies done on this dieting pattern, most studies have been short lived, contain a small number of participants, or studied on overweight mice instead of overweight humans. Dr. Frank Hu, chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explains that there are many downfalls that people may face when starting this diet. Most importantly is the drop-out rate, which accounted for 38% in a recent study done with 100 participants. When faced with a severe restriction in calorie consumption, many people find themselves wanting to reward themselves for doing hard work or purging after a fast. This act almost completely negates the benefits gained in the completed fasting days.  

Effects of intermittent fasting has been largely studied on a cellular level or in animals. Therefore, the true effects on humans is not yet known. Early results from a small clinical trial published by BMJ Journals has reported that intermittent fasting can help stabilize glucose control, as well as aid in lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation. However, it is not clear whether these results are directly related to intermittent fasting or the weight loss that comes along with fasting. 

Researchers have noted some drawbacks that were found among intermittent fasting participants, such as disrupted sleep, decreased alertness, higher LDL levels, and even pancreatic damage. LDL is also known as “bad cholesterol”, and a recent JAMA study showed that after twelve months, participants who followed fasting guidelines had significantly higher LDL levels than those who practiced daily calorie restrictions. A Brazilian study done in 2018 showed that overall weight loss was achieved through intermittent fasting in rats, however there was also muscle loss and belly fat gain. The pancreas also showed changes in insulin secretion and pancreatic islet metabolism, which may be indicative of increasing the risk of diabetes. After three months of intermittent fasting, the rats also showed insulin resistance and increased insulin secretion, both leading to compromised glucose balances.

Intermittent fasting is a popular diet trend based on the premise of severe calorie restriction to promote weight loss, decrease high blood pressure and aid in balancing blood sugar levels. This technique has been around for centuries and is involved in many religious practices, however there is not enough evidence to deem this as an entirely beneficial form of dieting. Recent studies have been showing more cons than pros, and medical doctors and dieticians are trying to promote patients to consume healthy foods as opposed to severe calorie restrictions to remove excess body weight.  

Tea has been a popular hot beverage consumed by people for hundreds of thousands of years, noting the many benefits that come along with it such as high levels of antioxidants and flavonoids. However, growing popularity of tea consumption is partly due to many circulating myths about “detox tea”. The Cleveland Clinic has reported a few popular myths about this type of tea explained by dieticians. 

According to The Cleveland Clinic, detox tea has been claimed to be healthier than green tea and black tea. Research from Penn Medicine explains that these two teas are made from Camellia sinensis and offer many antioxidants and flavonoids that help combat inflammation and a support a healthy immune system. Dietician Anna Taylor explains that this is a popular myth due to the diuretics and laxatives found in detox tea along with the same antioxidants and flavonoids found in green and black tea. These additions help promote weight loss due to the reduction of body waste and water weight.

Detox tea has also claimed to aid in weight loss, although this weight loss has been shown to be short-term and not sustainable. Modern day society has formed a liking to cure-all tricks and pills that result in maximum weight loss with minimal effort, forgetting that a healthy diet and regular exercise result in the most sustainable weight loss and overall health. Dietician Anna Taylor explains that the body has natural detoxification capabilities that can be enhanced by eating plenty of fiber, drinking enough fluids, consuming five to nine handfuls of fruits and vegetables each day and increased exercise. 

Emeritus professor of complementary medicine, Edzard Ernst, explains that medical treatment for people with life-threatening drug addictions is a respectable, medicinal type of outside detox. Any other form of outside detox is a “bogus treatment” being sold to the general public by entrepreneurs and quacks. The human body contains kidneys, a liver, skin and lungs that are constantly detoxifying the body. Edzard Ernst compared the marketing word “detox” to the equivalent of drawing stripes on your car in hopes that it goes faster. While the supplements claiming to detox the body may aid in initial weight loss, majority of the weight is water weight and removal of a build-up of fecal matter.

According to a London psychologist, Susan Marchant-Haycox, popularity in the detox industry is just another addition to the health and wellness industry that started booming in the 70s. Following the growing population of gyms, the beauty and diet industry began to boom with more people becoming aware of the benefits of certain food groups. This area of health and wellness is a perfect place to market items that claim to offer the benefits of many different food groups in one. Nearly half a century later, the detox industry is at an all-time high offering people a calorie-free drink that not only delivers antioxidants, but also promotes weight loss and appetite satiety. Other forms of detox include fasting, which is also a growing trend in society today and often goes hand in hand with tea consumption. 

Consumption of a supplementary health drink known as kombucha has been growing in popularity recently. While many people have sucked up the bitter taste of apple cider vinegar for its benefits, kombucha is tastier and offers a larger source of benefits such as improved gut health due to probiotics found in the drink, aids in weight loss, strengthens the immune system and improves overall mental health. Packed with B vitamins and other nutrients, kombucha has been proven to be a useful alternative to sugary drinks that most people would not think twice about consuming. Therefore, for people who love sweet, bubbly drinks, kombucha is now a great, healthy alternative to soda.

The large quantities of probiotics found in this drink has been linked to improved gut health, overall immunity and even weight loss as the gut microbiome is flooded with good bacteria. Since kombucha is an acidic drink, it has been shown to kill bad bacteria found in the body. Killing the bad bacteria, alongside ingesting probiotics and antioxidants, have been shown to increase the longevity of a healthy gut. Similar to green tea, kombucha also offers a small amount of caffeine with its antioxidants.

Other benefits of this drink include a better mental state for the consumer. Probiotics have been linked to decreasing depression, anxiety, and stabilizing mood by stabilizing the consumers gut health. A healthy gut is linked to the health of the other bodily systems as the gut absorbs nutrients and passes them along to other systems. Aside from probiotics, kombucha also offers a large quantity of antioxidants which have been proven to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and reduces the negative effects of these diseases if the consumer already has a history of a chronic health disease. These antioxidants have also been linked to reducing free radicals associated with cancer. Although studies have not determined an exact method as to why, it is assumed that polyphenols (antioxidants) block gene mutation and cancer cell growth, all while promoting cancer cell death.

An increase in consumption of antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, has been linked to reducing cholesterol and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels for type two diabetics. The ingestion of kombucha has been shown to slow the digestion of carbohydrates, which aids in maintaining a steady blood sugar. With these benefits also comes the improved function of the consumers liver and kidneys, two organs that are negatively affected by poor diet and alcohol consumption. This drink is a natural detoxification drink, which helps flush out the bad free radicals and bacteria found in the body.

Kombucha offers many similar benefits that green tea offers, yet it packed a sweet, bubbly punch for people who enjoy soda and other sugary drinks. Switching to kombucha from soda, juice, and large quantities of coffee has been proven to be beneficial for people of all ages, whether they are immunocompromised, facing chronic diseases or are as healthy as a horse. Addition of kombucha to a regular diet also packs a punch of the necessary probiotics and B vitamins that most people lack.

The ketogenic diet, or just plain “keto diet”, has become very popular in the last few years as a way to lose weight and change your lifestyle for the better. A low-carb diet, such as the keto diet, is a great way to reduce body fat in significantly overweight people and control blood sugar and insulin levels in diabetics. It has even been shown to manage seizure activity in hard-to-control epileptics. While there are some added benefits to this high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate diet, such as reduced triglycerides, increased good cholesterol (HDL), and reduced body fat, there are also dangers posed by this diet. 

The keto diet forces the body into a state of ketosis, a term meaning there are raised levels of ketone bodies in the body tissue. Being in a state of ketosis forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, which are the body’s usual source of energy. Burning body fat releases ketones in the bloodstream, which then provide fuel for the rest of the body. As a result of being in a state of ketosis, people often find their breath carries an odor, usually metallic or fruity, and they suffer from chronic fatigue and irritability. 

On the contrary, many people also find that they have a more stable flow of energy as their blood sugar and insulin levels are being normalized when on the keto diet according to a recentHarvard study. While this is a true side effect of keto, most people often do not eat enough while on this diet and in turn end up hurting themselves by reaching a state of starvation. The keto diet focuses on fats and proteins, both of which are comprised of complex molecules such as lipids and amino acids. Digestion is slower as a result of these complex molecules, which makes the user feel full for extended periods of time. As a result of this, people also often do not receive the proper amount of necessary vitamins and electrolytes and can end up developing irregular heart rhythms.

While the keto diet was formed as a dieting tool to be utilized under the direct supervision of a medical professional, the general public has become aware of the desired side effects (i.e., weight loss) and have taken it upon themselves to follow this diet. This diet can pose threats to healthy adults in more ways than one. The keto diet has been shown to reduce muscle tone and water, especially in the beginning, which also affects the heart muscle and electrolyte balance. Electrolytes are chemicals that conduct electricity in water, and control nerve and muscle function, blood acidity, blood pressure and assists in repairing damaged body tissue.

 People who have diabetes often suffer serious consequences when trying to use keto as a guide to regulate their blood sugar due to entering a state of ketoacidosis. When the ketone levels get too high, the user enters a state called ketoacidosis in which the blood becomes too acidic. Directly related to this acidity, the blood can then damage the brain, kidneys and liver. People who are predisposed to kidney and liver diseases or conditions can suffer from this. 

The ketogenic diet is a great diet to follow if deemed necessary by a medical professional. However, without proper education on the subject the user can suffer mild to extreme consequences and even cause permanent damage.

People in society today have focused more and more of their attention on their health and improving their lifestyles. However, with the growing use of the internet and social media, people are also exposed to more and more inaccurate information. Often, a topic tends to gain popularity if it is associated with a “cure all” product, thus creating an economic benefit. This then creates more promotion from businesses to gain more profit. These trends can include release of new products, promoting a specific daily lifestyle, etc. One major topic that has gained vast popularity in society today is that organic food is healthier for the consumer as opposed to non-organic produce. 

Despite the term “organic farming” being coined by Lord Northbourne during the 1940s, growing demand for organic food has become more popular in recent years as more people have begun to research their benefits compared to non-organic products. According to a Harvard study, organic agriculture does have benefits, such as decreased synthetic pesticide residue found in food, along with less hormone and antibiotics being flooded into our grown produce. Organic products are often grown with the assistance of natural compost, nitrogen-fixing plants, or natural fertilizers made from produce residue. Aside from these few contributions, organic food does not seem to have greater nutritional values compared to non-organic foods. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicinehave explained that there is just simply not enough evidence to determine that organic food is healthier. The organics industry is a growing $29 billion industry, which contributes to the rising demand for organic produce as businesses over-promote the few benefits organic produce has to humans.

Despite the lack of evidence for organics as a whole, a small percentage of foods have been shown to contain higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals, which has been associated with assuming all organic food has higher levels of vitamins and minerals. All agricultural produce is grown with independent genetic makeup and variables, and actually differ from each individual piece of produce. Studies that have compared organic food to non-organic food faces variables such as ripeness of the products picked, and whether or not the products even came from the same farm under the same exact conditions. 

The organics industry has grown tremendously due to the expense of producing and maintaining organic produce from organic farms. The cost of maintaining and organic farm has also increased profit and economic revenue, and therefore encourages other people to produce organic products, too. In fact, organic farm owner Roger Wassonexplains on a podcast with author Darryl Benjamin and chef Lyndon Virkler that some businesses and organizations have been caught promoting organic goods, when in fact they were non-organic goods and sometimes did not even come from an organic farm. This is known as false labeling and is a discouraging, common trend among growing farmers who claim to be organic. While organic farming has not been directly proven to be healthier for human consumption, it has been shown to be better for the environment by reducing polluted runoff and soil erosion, uses less energy, and has shown to have a positive effect on neighboring birds and animals as they ingest less pesticides.