Skip to content

Top Navigation

Health.com Health.com
  • Health Conditions A-Z
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Beauty
  • Mind & Body
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Health.com

Health.com Health.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. Read More Next
    • 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Read More Next
    • How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. Read More Next
  • Health Conditions A-Z

    Health Conditions A-Z

    See all Health Conditions A-Z

    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder.
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Birth Control
    • Breast Cancer
    • Coronavirus
    • Chronic Pain
    • Cold, Flu, and Sinus
    • Depression
    • Digestive Health
    • Diabetes (Type 2)
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Heart Disease
    • Headaches and Migraines
    • Oral Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Psoriasis
    • Sexual Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
    • Thyroid
  • News

    News

    See all News

    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening.
    • Celebrities
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition

    Diet & Nutrition

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    FYI: The keto diet is not number one.
    • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Vitamins and Supplements
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
    • Diets
    • Keto Diet
    • Mediterranean Diet
    • Whole30
    • Recipes
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See all Fitness

    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate.
    • Cardio Workouts
    • Strength Training
    • Yoga
    • Ab Workouts
    • Arm Workouts
    • Leg Workouts
    • Butt Workouts
    • Fitness Gear
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See all Beauty

    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages.
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Mind & Body

    Mind & Body

    See all Mind & Body

    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Here's the truth about lying.
    • Body Positivity
    • Self-Care
    • Misdiagnosed
    • Invisible Illness
    • LGBTQ+ Health
    • Health Diversity and Inclusion
    • Resolution Reboot
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    Clean out expired products and clutter to make way for a healthier you.
    • Healthy Home
    • Pets
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Style
    • Holidays
    • Sex
    • Gifts
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Medicare
    • Best Life Now
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Nutrition Chevron Right
  3. Celebs Swear By These Nutrition Trends—But Are They Actually Good For You?

Celebs Swear By These Nutrition Trends—But Are They Actually Good For You?

By Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD
November 30, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty Images
Does avoiding nightshades fight inflammation? Can apple cider vinegar whittle your middle? Health's contributing nutrition editor gets real about six buzzy health moves.
Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nutrition trends celebs love

Credit: Getty Images

We're captivated by celebrities—by their style, their anti-aging secrets and, of course, the ways they stay svelte and strong. But while we're aware that our favorite A-listers aren't health experts, it's tough not to be intrigued when someone with access to the best of everything raves about a natural bloat fixer or skin miracle. The truth? Plenty of Hollywood's advice is misguided (like guzzling bone broth for a flawless complexion), though some of the strategies are solid (such as sipping apple cider vinegar). I've checked out the research (where there is any) on the hottest food fads to help you tell the wise from the wacky and even dangerous.

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Golden milk

Credit: Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly a fan of golden milk (aka turmeric lattes), as are some of my pro athlete clients. This beverage is typically prepared by combining fresh or ground turmeric with coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, black pepper, and freshly grated ginger in warm almond or coconut milk. There is scant research on the concoction, but studies show that turmeric itself has anti-inflammatory properties, and its active ingredient, curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant.

The verdict: Drink up. The easiest way to make golden milk is by putting ½ tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil, ½ tablespoon of honey, ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric, ½ teaspoon of grated ginger, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1 cup of unsweetened almond or coconut milk in a mason jar; close it, shake and enjoy over ice or warmed up. Stick with one mug daily to avoid overdoing it on the spice. When swallowed in excessive amounts, it may cause upset stomach. Skip it if you take blood-thinning meds, though; it can also inhibit blood clotting.

2 of 8

3 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nixing nightshades

Credit: Getty Images

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen's Boston-based personal chef revealed that the star athlete avoids this plant group. Nightshades belong to a botanical family called Solanaceae, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, as well as tobacco. Nightshades contain chemical compounds called alkaloids; some people say they cause inflammation in the body, so consuming them too much could, in theory, exacerbate health issues such as joint pain, digestive issues, and certain chronic diseases.

The verdict: Most people should eat them. There is little scientific research to back up the idea that nightshades are inflammatory. Plus, the amount of alkaloids in the edible portions of most nightshades is very small, and cooking these foods may cut the alkaloid content by roughly half. My one caveat: If you're injured or have an inflammatory condition (like arthritis) and want to see whether removing nightshades helps ease your symptoms, try eliminating them for 30 days. But do start eating them again if you don't notice a difference—nightshades are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apple cider vinegar

Credit: Getty Images

One of Fergie's middle-slimming tips: Take shots of unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV). Turns out, there's some evidence that this cooking staple may help lower blood sugar and control weight gain. Consuming 2 tablespoons of ACV with a snack before bed helped type 2 diabetes patients reduce their blood sugar levels, according to research published in Diabetes Care. In an animal study, mice given a high-fat diet plus acetic acid (vinegar's star component) developed up to 10 percent less body fat than those receiving the fatty diet with water.

The verdict: Give it a go. Just don't down the vinegar straight: Undiluted shots can wear away tooth enamel over time and irritate the esophagus. Swirl 2 teaspoons of ACV and 1 teaspoon of honey into a cup of warm water and drink it once a day. Or drizzle ACV over chilled vegetable side dishes. But don't forget to maintain a healthy eating routine; sipping ACV with doughnuts and fast food won't produce a metabolism miracle.

4 of 8

5 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eating alkaline

Credit: Getty Images

Famous faces—including Victoria Beckham, Elle Macpherson, and Kelly Ripa—have praised an alkaline diet, in which you swap out foods that metabolize into acid-promoting compounds (such as meat, dairy and processed foods) for ones that form alkaline substances (fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds). The theory is that the diet can balance your body's pH levels. In one study in Diabetologia, researchers tracked more than 66,000 women and found that those who ate the most heavily acid-producing diets had a 56 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes, compared with those on the least acid-producing diets. Research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that eating more foods that leave alkaline residues may help older adults hang on to more muscle mass as they age.

The verdict: Try it, but not for the reasons you think. The research on this eating style may still be emerging, but adopting the rules of an alkaline diet happens to be a natural route to healthier eating: Cut back on sugar, processed foods and excess animal protein, reduce your sodium intake and up your consumption of plant-based foods.

5 of 8

6 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bone broth

Credit: Getty Images

Ageless beauty Salma Hayek named bone broth—stock made by simmering the bones and connective tissue of animals or fish—her elixir for maintaining youthful, elastic skin. "It's sort of disgusting," she told People, while noting that the concoction has helped her avoid Botox thanks to its collagen content. Hayek isn't the only one to sing its praises: Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant sipped the broth to aid recovery, and Paltrow has included it in her winter detox diet. Science, on the other hand, has not found that anyone should hop on the bone broth bandwagon.

The verdict: May not be worth your time or money. Bone broth is a perfect example of an overhyped nutrition trend that sounds fantastic in theory. But for now, the benefits are anecdotal or theoretical. As for the nutritional bonuses (bone broth is full of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids), you can get the same nutrients from eating solid foods, like pulses (beans, lentils and peas), eggs and chicken. Although one study has suggested that lead may leach out of bones into the stock, additional published research is lacking. Until we know more, if you're someone who genuinely likes the taste of the stock, it's OK to enjoy a mugful from time to time. Just know that it isn't a proven tonic.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chaga mushrooms

Credit: Getty Images

Actress Shailene Woodley reportedly brews chaga mushrooms in a slow cooker and sips the concoction as an immune booster. The medicinal fungi—which grows in cold climates on birch trees and has antioxidant properties—is thought to support gut health by reducing inflammation. The red flag: Human studies involving chaga are lacking. However, in rodents, chaga extract has been shown to suppress tumor growth and lower cholesterol.

The verdict: Steer clear. Avoid it unless you've gotten the OK from an MD. Chaga may stimulate the immune system, which could potentially exacerbate symptoms of autoimmune diseases, like lupus or multiple sclerosis. Chaga may also inhibit blood clotting, so be sure to skip it if you have a bleeding disorder or take any blood-thinning medications.

7 of 8

8 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Want to try a food fad?

Credit: Getty Images

Before you get on board with the latest headline-grabbing eating trend, run down this quick safety checklist.

Any side effects? Watch out for health and lifestyle factors that make it a bad fit for you. Some bone broths, for example, may be a poor choice for someone with hypertension, due to the sodium content; a juice cleanse may be problematic for a hard-core gym-goer.

Will I stick with it? Trendy diets are often specific and restrictive, so people eventually go off them. But temporary diets have temporary results. If you can't imagine yourself following the trend six months or a year from now, it's probably not for you.

Is there research? Don't rely on anecdotal claims or opinions from "gurus" or friends without medical or nutrition credentials. If you're unable to find studies on a trend, consider it a red flag and consult a physician or dietitian before proceeding.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 8 Nutrition trends celebs love
2 of 8 Golden milk
3 of 8 Nixing nightshades
4 of 8 Apple cider vinegar
5 of 8 Eating alkaline
6 of 8 Bone broth
7 of 8 Chaga mushrooms
8 of 8 Want to try a food fad?

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Health.com

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact us
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.health.com

View image

Celebs Swear By These Nutrition Trends—But Are They Actually Good For You?
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.