Health Drinks

Does a video clip show a young woman who had lung surgery because of energy drinks who will never be able to speak again? No, that's not true: The video footage was taken from another TikTok account where it was presented with no mention of energy drinks. The original @hey_itsabs video caption said that her lung had been punctured by…

Does the polio-causing poliovirus infect people exclusively through direct contact between "fecal matter" and "facial orifices"? No, that's not true: While multiple health agencies say that the fecal-oral route is common, that includes a number of possibilities. For example, polio may spread through consuming contaminated food or water. The claim appeared in an image (archived here) being commented on in…

Are Apple-A-Day buckets of horse electrolytes safe for human consumption, as a post on X claimed? No, that's not true: The company that produces Apple-A-Day buckets has stated it has not been tested for humans and that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for human consumption. A nutritionist told Lead Stories that people should not take animal…

Are foods like Lucky Charms, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Oreos and Gatorade facing a nationwide ban in the United States? No, that's not true: Several states, including California, have either passed or are considering legislation to ban certain food additives, but no particular foods would be outlawed. Manufacturers can reformulate to remove the additives -- potassium bromate, propylparaben or red dye…

Is it against the law for athletes to endorse milk as a nutritious beverage? No, that's not true: There's nothing inherently illegal about athletes promoting milk as healthy, despite claims by Bobby Price in a YouTube video. Staff from the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates claims in advertising, told Lead Stories that "it's NOT illegal for them to say this."…

Does a video on social media contain "insider intel" regarding a bioterrorism attack that will be carried out on crowds gathered to watch the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse? No, that's not true: There is no evidence provided in this video of specific insider information about a biological attack or other disaster. The insider information purportedly comes second-hand from an…

Is cucumber-and-carrot juice a "100% effective" way to restore vision within a week? No, that's not true: There is no scientific evidence that this drink can improve eyesight or cure any degenerative diseases of the eye, the National Eye Institute told Lead Stories. A clinical nutritionist confirmed that a cucumber-carrot-juice drink would not restore vision loss, particularly in seven days.…

Does the pH of soda (pH 2) make it seriously toxic, "a pH killer," and does it take 32 eight-ounce glasses of alkaline water to reverse the toxic effects of one soda? No, that's not true: A food science professor told Lead Stories that many foods are as acidic as soda and that all are considered weak acids compare to…

Does eating certain foods cause miscarriages? No, that's not true: Lead Stories spoke to a perinatal dietitian and a registered dietitian nutritionist about this claim and was told by both that in general foods do not cause the loss of a pregnancy. The food category that may be the most unhealthy would be junk food, because of it's low nutrional…

Is batana oil a product that "thoroughly cleanses your organs and repairs any damage done to them"? No, that's not true: Batana oil is primarily used as a cosmetic product rather than for internal consumption. It is derived from the fruit of the American palm and is commonly used for hair and skin care. There is, however, no scientific evidence…