These Products do Seem Healthy but Might be Just Waste of Money

“All that glitters is not gold”, similarly all that is sold with impressive advertisements with hefty prices is not true to be healthy.

Many people are sceptical of “miraculous” cures and belly-blasting products sold in aeroplane catalogues or via commercials shown on TV and few of them often fall prey to buying such products.

Quick fixes like slimming teas and magic pills are just that — they don’t produce long-lasting results but surely contribute in impacting your health and life in the long term. It’s tempting to assume specific products can get you what you want, be it a slim figure, better sleep, or a clearer mental state.

Here are a few products which are not required and can be substituted with natural ones at home:

1. Detox water/teas

Drinking detox teas has become a popular practice for people who wish to clean their bodies of toxins. Some teas also promise to reduce weight but are found to be dangerous as it contains certain chemicals which can harm the human body in the long run.

Generally consumed as a healthy beverage, these teas are sold on the pretext of increasing the amount of fat burned during exercise. The “weight” you lose when drinking these teas is called water weight. This is not the same as losing fat, and your body will return to normal once you stop drinking the tea and go back to your old eating habits.

It may also lead to loss of more water in the body and may flush out important nutrients which could develop problems like electrolyte imbalance, drug interactions and more.

Healthy alternative:

Make natural health boosting water at home like putting cucumber and lemon overnight or throughout the day and keep sipping. Keep in mind to use various combinations and to change the water every day. Also, try fruit infused water.

2. Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements like tablets of vitamins and minerals when taken without any requirement may lead to supplement overload. The naturally derived nutrients start to compete for absorption with the artificial ones which can eventually lead to dangerous toxicity diseases or nutrient imbalances.

People who are medically prescribed, who have certain deficiencies can have supplements after a doctor’s consultation but having unnecessarily without any requirements and consultation is not advisable.

In case of gym supplements, products like protein powder and muscle gaining tablets may enhance muscle mass with exercise but the effect is short-lived and heavy doses could damage the liver and kidney or cause serious illnesses. They might enhance the performance, build stamina and promise to provide adequate levels of protein but cause harm in the long run.

Healthy alternative:

Derive nutrients from fresh and natural foods. Replace supplements with a well-balanced diet. Consume rainbow foods. Having a healthy diet helps include all of the desired nutrients.

Fruits like pomegranate, mango, banana, apples and green veggies are good options.

Protein options include dairy products like milk, or cottage cheese and soybean, tofu, pulses, lean meat and kidney beans.

Sugar-based substitutes/Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners can increase the risk of cancer by causing a spike in blood sugar levels and harming gut health. Sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose affect appetite by causing to have more cravings for sugary food items. The sweet-tasting substitute confuses your brain into still feeling hungry and causing weight gain.

Healthy alternative:

Try going for tea, coffee and other beverages without sugar. If you are not habitual to it, reduce and eventually stop using sugar substitutes. You can use healthy sugar alternatives like dates, figs, coconut sugar and jaggery.

Footnote

In reality, a combination of healthy practices like lifestyle intervention and healthy eating is all you need. Fancy, high priced and overrated products shining lined on the shelves of the grocery stores may not always be a healthy choice.