TikTok viral health trends you should never try

According to a study, more than 28% of adults in the UK have tried a wellness or fitness trend after seeing it on social media.

By: Kimberly Rodrigues

Every week, a new viral health trend seems to make waves on TikTok, with content creators sharing so-called hacks to make you healthy.

The social media app currently has over 8.9 million active users in the UK and millions more around the world, jumping on board with the latest health trends from TikTok.

However, experts warn that widespread misinformation can be harmful to your health.

They also state that these health trends can put your health at risk and can even be dangerous at times.

The Mirror reports that according to new research, more than 28% of adults in the UK have tried a wellness or fitness trend after seeing it on social media.

Additionally, 18% of those who have tried a TikTok or viral fitness trend reportedly said they had a negative experience – equivalent to 2.6 million Britons.

Based on the study conducted by European lingerie specialists, Hunkemöller, it was found that men were more likely than women to be influenced by health and fitness hacks spotted on social media.

With millions of Brits following these viral fitness trends, experts are concerned about health hazards such as kidney damage and knee injuries.

However, there are also some viral health trends that experts endorse.

Speaking about using TikTok for fitness advice, Elliott Upton, certified personal trainer and head of online training at Ultimate Performance, reportedly said, “TikTok, like other social media platforms, is full of fitness advice. . And, like other social media platforms, the advice given by influencers ranges from very good to potentially quite dangerous.

He adds, “I want to point out that there are some really good fitness experts on TikTok. It’s not as simple as dismissing the platform altogether, as there are some very experienced and knowledgeable experts out there who have great advice to share.

“However, there is a lot of information on TikTok that is either outdated or worse, out of context. When it comes to fitness, everyone is different, and so what works for one person may not work for another.

“If you’re going to use TikTok, then my advice would be to do your research thoroughly first.”

Here’s a list of the most popular TikTok fitness and wellness trends Brits have tried

• 30-Day One-Gallon-a-Day Challenge – 34% have tried this challenge

• 100 Rep Challenge – 27%

• Burn 600 calories in 60 minutes – 25%

• Skipping/Jump Rope Challenge – 24%

• Pilates – 24%

• Treadmill strut – 21%

• Sexy Girl Rides – 20% off

• 12-3-20 – 17%

• 75 Hard Challenge – 16%

• Drink “Proffee” – 16%

Based on the study, it was discovered that the most popular trend was the “30-day Gallon of Water Challenge”, whereby participants are asked to drink 3.7 liters of water daily for a month. .

This challenge was reportedly attempted by 34% of Britons and attracted more than 25.3 million views worldwide.

However, despite its popularity, this challenge reportedly received mixed reviews.

While some may claim that these health trends offer “numerous health benefits” like weight loss, increased energy and flushing out toxins from the body, experts have warned that this challenge which involves drinking a lot of water, can have harmful effects. side effects which include kidney problems.

“Drinking a gallon of water a day won’t deliver the supposed benefits that many claim, and it can be dangerous for some,” Tom Jenane, fitness and nutrition expert at Natures Healthbox, told the Mirror.

He adds, “Overconsumption of water can wreak havoc on your kidneys and lead to vomiting and headaches if you don’t get enough sodium to match that level in your diet.”

Another popular health trend among Brits is 75-Day Hard. This involves doing high impact workouts every day for 75 days.

However, experts warn that there is a possible risk of physical injury from continuous exercise, so it is best to stay away from this challenge.

“Training without rest days greatly increases the risk of injury. If you engage in high-impact workouts every day for a total of 75 days, you are at risk of knee injuries, stress fractures, and iliotibial band syndrome. I cannot stress enough the importance of rest days! James Bickerstaff, personal trainer at the OriGym Center of Excellence said.

On the other hand, experts are full of praise for the “Hot Girl Walk” and have a much more positive view of this trend which is said to have accumulated more than 274.1 million views worldwide on TikTok and which has also been tried by 20% of those interviewed for the study.

The trend requires participants to take a daily four-mile walk outdoors, while listening to an inspirational podcast or a motivational or uplifting playlist.

During this walk, people are encouraged to think only about what they are grateful for, how “sexy” they are, their goals in life, and how to achieve their goals.

A qualified yoga, pilates and fitness instructor, Eloise Skinner, is quoted as saying, “Regular walking is great for your body and being outdoors can help get enough vitamin D (which helps support bone health).

“Gratitude practices have also been shown to help create feelings of positivity and optimism, so that’s also an important component. One of the best things about this trend is its simplicity – no extremes, just a daily walk, using mental focus to stay on track.

What about the trend of mixing protein powder with coffee, known as “Proffee”?

This trend is said to have been tried by 16% of adults in the UK, with double the number of men having tried it.

Trends endorsed by fitness experts