The internet loves a trend, but when it comes to diet and health, blindly following one can be dangerous. Th latest food trend that has caught up with TikTok and social media users is the 'carnivore diet', which consists solely of animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy while eliminating all plant-based foods. Advocates claim it boosts energy, enhances mental clarity, and helps shed pounds. However, scientific experts are sounding alarms about its potential risks.
The Risks Of The Carnivore Diet
A report in the New York Post highlights concerns raised by scientists at the Indiana University School of Medicine. They warn that following the carnivore diet can increase the risk of developing kidney stones, a condition known to cause severe pain and complications.
The diet’s high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol have also been linked to elevated LDL cholesterol levels, which may contribute to heart disease over time. These warnings, though crucial, haven't stopped people from experimenting with extreme dietary shifts inspired by viral social media trends.
What Happened With Eve Catherine Raises Further Concerns...
A recent case illustrates this risk. Dallas-based influencer Eve Catherine shared her experience on TikTok after she was hospitalized due to excessive protein intake while following the carnivore diet. She had been consuming eggs for breakfast, high-protein yogurt for lunch, and a New York strip steak for dinner. During a routine check-up, her doctor noticed high protein levels in her urine—an early warning sign that something wasn’t right. However, she didn’t take it seriously at the time. Things took a turn when she woke up one day to find she was urinating blood. The diagnosis? A painful kidney stone, which landed her in the emergency room.
Her experience sheds light on a larger issue: the dangers of following social media-driven health trends without medical guidance. In today's digital age, platforms like TikTok have become hotspots for food and wellness content, but not all of it is backed by credible experts.
A PLOS One study by researchers from the University of Vermont revealed that TikTok’s most-viewed food content frequently promotes toxic diet culture. The study found that much of this content emphasizes weight as the primary measure of health, ignoring other critical factors such as nutrition, genetics, and overall well-being.
This raises an important question: Should we really be trusting influencers over medical professionals when it comes to health? A balanced diet, one that includes essential nutrients from various food sources, remains the safest and most sustainable approach to long-term health.
So before hopping onto the next viral diet trend, isn’t it wiser to consult a qualified expert rather than blindly following what’s trending online?
