We all want to be healthy, we know how to do it: eat nutritious food, move the body, get enough sleep, and manage stress.
But eating leafy greens, walking and journaling is not exciting today. New trends that promise to revolutionize our health and well-being are even more interesting. These trends are often old ideas in shiny new packaging.
It can be difficult to tell what new trends are good from what’s bad, and here are some of the biggest health and wellness trends of 2024 – so far – and what to do with them, according to a report in The Guardian.
Cortisol face
The phrase “cortisol face” began trending on TikTok this year as creators claimed that excessive intake of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, leads to “ugly” facial puffiness. They claimed that if you lower your cortisol level, your face will become more attractive.
@dr.osama.rub How to get rid of cortisol pouch? Cortisol belly occurs in this way, and here is its treatment. #cortisol #cortisol_pouch
♬ original sound – Dr Osama Rub Osama Abu Al-Rub
Cortisol can affect a person’s appearance, but not in the way that wellness influencers suggest. According to experts, excess cortisol in the body can lead to Cushing’s syndrome, a relatively rare condition that often occurs as a result of steroid treatments. Standard daily stress is unlikely to raise cortisol levels enough. If you’re concerned about your cortisol levels, see a doctor, not TikTok.
Red light therapy
Initially used as an in-clinic tool, red light therapy devices have gained popularity, thanks to claims that they smooth wrinkles, treat acne and promote hair growth. But the products are still an “emerging therapeutic area,” says Toronto dermatologist Dr. Annie Liu.
Anecdotally, many users have reported an increase in glow and radiance, but Dr. Prem Tripathi, a facial plastic surgeon, is more cautious. “There will be a limit to what you see using these devices,” he says. Think of it as a maintenance tool best used between in-office treatments.
Recently, some TikTok users have tried using red Christmas lights or heat lamps commonly used in raising chickens, but these methods are unlikely to have any meaningful benefits.
If you are going to invest time in red light therapy, a product from a reputable brand that has been tested in third-party clinical trials will be your best bet.
Magnesium
Early this year, magnesium was a wellness buzzword on TikTok with creators claiming that taking magnesium supplements helped reduce their feelings of anxiety. The mineral is essential for the body to function, and research suggests that it can help suppress stress and have an overall calming effect.
But more research is needed to fully understand its effects. While there’s likely no harm in increasing the amount of magnesium in your diet — foods like salmon, avocado, and beans are all good sources — consult a doctor before taking it as a supplement, and don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t help. “In our research, as with any other intervention, it did not work for everyone,” one researcher told The Guardian.
Raw, unpasteurized milk
Raw milk, or unpasteurized milk, was another social media trend this year. Adherents of this opinion claimed that raw milk contains more vitamins and minerals than pasteurized milk, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disagrees with this.
Demand has grown so much in the United States that more than 20 states have begun selling raw milk. But food safety experts are “absolutely horrified” by the trend, Dr. Marion Nestel, professor emeritus of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, told The Guardian in January.
The probability of contracting the disease from raw milk is higher than the probability of contracting the disease from pasteurized milk.
skin care
The skin care market is booming, and according to some reports, this rise is partly due to Generation Alpha – those born between 2010 and 2024. This year, parents and dermatologists report that 9-year-olds are adopting complex, multi-step skin care regimens. Some of this can be attributed to the experimentation and identity formation that is a normal part of adolescent development.
Experts warn that fear of aging and focus on unrealistic beauty standards can be harmful to a child’s mental health. Not to mention the risks to their skin. Most teens have few, if any, skin problems, so using these products can lead to skin irritation and often causes skin conditions such as pimples.
Apple cider vinegar is a cure-all
You’ve probably seen videos showing people drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar dissolved in water, hoping it will give them a slimmer waist, clearer skin, a stable stomach, and less severe spikes in blood sugar.
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a folk remedy for thousands of years, and some of its health claims have little science to back it up. But for many of the promised benefits, there’s no research to back them up at all, experts say.
It is said to help with weight loss, control blood sugar, treat acne and more, but experts say this is not accurate.
Under eye creams can reverse dark circles
There is no shortage of skin care products that promise to lighten or eliminate blemishes on our faces. Under-eye lightening creams are a tempting sale in a culture obsessed with youth. But experts say there’s no evidence they work, or as one put it bluntly: “I think none of them work.”
Some skin care products may offer some benefits, but they may not live up to their skin-lightening claims, according to a report in the New York Times.
Pimple patches
These little bandages come in cute shapes and colors, like hearts, circles, and stars. On social media, influencers are dramatically peeling them off on camera, revealing the sticky remains of the pimples that were once there.
Experts say that some versions of this patch may help heal pimples, but it will not work on all types of pimples, and it is certainly not a substitute for your regular skin care routine. Some patches can increase skin irritation.
Oil pulling and charcoal paste
Some influencers claim that swishing edible oils like coconut, olive, sunflower, or sesame oil in your mouth for several minutes a day will prevent tooth decay, receding gums, and whiten your teeth.
But scientists and dentists say the evidence is insufficient, and if you do it incorrectly, the practice could cause stomach upset.
We also emphasize here the mistake of using charcoal toothpaste when brushing your teeth, as it can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel through its strong abrasiveness, and over time, it increases the risk of cavities, stains, and other problems.