TikTok trends may not be ‘accurate’

TDT | Manama                                                          

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Julia Cassano

TikTok is perhaps most well-known for its viral trends and challenges, as well as its famous influencers who promote certain health tips, from gut issues to bloating, to even chronic conditions.

According to recent figures published by the DataReportal in January 2023, there are around 889,000 active TikTok accounts in the Kingdom. While there may be useful information for users of the app to take on board, trends have been proven to spiral, leaving users of the app with misinformation or inaccurate information, especially when it comes to gut health.

The app can be a place to enjoy humorous videos, self-help advice, and makeup tips. But as the app has evolved, users have begun to use it to find solutions for gut health issues, and much of this information is not entirely accurate.

In recent months, many users and creators have become focused on the topic of gut health and the importance of self-care and wellness, but are these trending topics spreading on the app true or accurate?

For example, many videos and people on the app have claimed probiotics to be a solution for gut health; however, Dr. Kenneth, a gastroenterologist at American Mission Hospital, didn’t quite agree with this.

He said that essentially, probiotics are supplements of good bacteria for our gut health, and many seem to believe there are various benefits to taking probiotics. He, however, said that this has not been proven in actual clinical trials and that people should be more cautious about such information on the Internet and instead speak to a specialist.

“Many people believe that taking probiotic supplements cures many ailments; however, this is due to the marketing departments of the manufacturers of these probiotic supplements,” Dr. Kenneth said.

He stated that although probiotics are safe to take, they are not necessary for a healthy individual. Furthermore, he noted another common misconception that it is a must to take probiotics after a course of antibiotics, which is not the case.

The doctor highlighted more efficient ways to look after your gut and nourish your gut microbes, such as refraining from eating too much red meat, fatty foods, and processed foods. “People should instead eat more fibres like fruits and vegetables, and if an individual seeks to add more probiotics into their meals, eating fermented food such as yoghurt is a great way to do this,” he said.

Lastly, he noted that with a great deal of information circulating the Internet, there is just not enough scientific evidence to confidently say that probiotics are necessary for healthy individuals to take.