Detox Dupe

 Collagen creams, detox teas and vitamin shots may be among the latest wellness trends on social media but it turns out they are mostly an expensive waste of money, according to Which?

The consumer group examined the ingredients, price and health claims made by six categories of product or supplement. It consulted experts and gave a verdict. Which? concluded that in many cases there is not robust evidence to justify the price or that people can just as easily get the same benefits elsewhere for less.

Social media marketing has given a huge boost to the wellness industry in recent years, and the average person spends £487 a year on fitness, cosmetics and nutrition products, according to GlobalData, a research firm.

A Quack selling Medicine
unknown artist
Photo Credit: Wellcome Collection [Public Domain]

The research said, for example, that vitamin shots usually cost £2 or more for just 60ml, the same price per litre as Moet & Chandon champagne, but the main ingredient is "typically fruit juice."

It said the shots, which claim to boost the immune system, are not necessary for people who eat a healthy, balanced diet and that the vitamins they contain, such as C and D, and zinc, could be cheaper elsewhere. It was even more dismissive of detox teas, stating that "no herbal tea can detox your body".

The research said: "The wellness industry would have us believe that we all need to detox our bodies but this isn't true. Our liver, kidneys and digestive systems do that for us already."

The study was also dismissive of "targeted pain killers" saying that when you pay a premium for these products, such as Nurofen migraine relief, you are essentially "paying for the packaging"...

Which? also looked at collagen creams and supplements, noting that while some studies support their effectiveness for healthy bones, joints and skin, the benefits are unproven by large-scale independent studies...

Which? also said that hair-loss shampoos were unlikely to work for most people...

"If you are thinking of buying a trending health product, don't assume that expensive prices and slick advertising necessarily result in better quality products and do your research as branded versions can cost considerably more than own-label ones - despite containing the same active ingredient."

"Also be cautious of the cherry-picked positive reviews that some brands may use in their marketing."

(Andrew Ellson, The Times, 2024)

This article is manna from heaven! Wellness trends on social media have, over the years, become more and more bizarre and have duped a huge number of credulous, gullible  individuals.