Social media influencers are the celebrities of the digital world, having the attention of millions of people across the world when they post online. These influencers typically have a certain topic or subject they make most of their post about, with common examples being political commentators, news reporters, and lifestyle advisors. A particular subgenre that I find concerning is health advice influencers.
Health advisors or health gurus, as they are sometimes referred to by fans, typically make posts on social media providing tips and tricks they use to improve their own health and market it to their viewers. The issue arises when one considers a simple fact: many of these influencers are not professional health specialists and are susceptible to misinformation like anyone else.
These influencers often sell diet plans and make claims about trending dietary plans, such as keto or raw veganism, without using any scientific evidence. These statements usually claim that these diets are “hidden” or “secret” plans that celebrities do not want most people to know about. These diets can be considered a form of misinformation that sells you on their validity by using the physique of the influencer.
Wellness influencers are often in shape themselves, using their above-average physiques to act as proof that what they are saying is true and attract a bigger audience. Health influencers have the ears of millions of people, and what they say can often drown out the advice of educated health professionals, who lack the celebrity power to make their research heard.
The diet of a person should be personally tailored to their body and habits. A diet that works for an in-shape influencer who exercises for 2 hours daily will not have the same effect on an out-of-shape construction worker who does not exercise.
My personal advice is to always fact-check any health information you hear on social media before applying it to your own body.
