Let’s cut through the wellness hype. We’ve sorted 40 major health trends from past to present, ranking them from downright dangerous to genuinely effective. Our countdown begins with the most ridiculous fads that should have never existed and ends with proven methods that stand up to scientific scrutiny. You’ll see why some fads fizzled while others became legitimate health practices.
People seriously swallowed cotton balls soaked in juice to feel full and lose weight. This bizarre and dangerous trend started gaining traction on social media around 2013. Medical professionals quickly pointed out the risks: intestinal blockages, malnutrition, and severe digestive problems. Some desperate dieters landed in emergency rooms with life-threatening complications from this misguided attempt at weight control.
These high-tech saunas promise to detoxify your body, improve skin, and burn calories through exposure to infrared light. Sessions typically cost $45-100, with some devotees visiting multiple times weekly. While traditional saunas have documented health benefits, evidence specifically supporting infrared technology remains limited. The detoxification claims ignore the body’s natural ability to remove waste through the liver and kidneys.
Back in the early 1900s, people willingly ingested tapeworm cysts packaged in pill form to shed pounds. The parasites would grow inside the host’s intestines, absorbing nutrients and calories meant for the body. While people did lose weight, they also suffered severe complications: organ damage, brain cysts, and potentially fatal infections. Despite being outlawed, underground tapeworm diet pills still surface occasionally in certain weight loss circles.
Raw meat diets have surfaced repeatedly throughout health food history. During the 1900s, several nutritional enthusiasts promoted uncooked animal products for their supposed enzyme preservation and “natural” benefits. Celebrities occasionally fuel these movements through social media endorsements, claiming improved digestion and energy. Health officials consistently warn against these practices due to serious contamination risks from bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause severe illness in consumers.
Some folks claim they can survive solely on air and sunlight through a practice called breatharianism. Proponents insist they don’t need food or water to live, defying basic human biology. Several followers have died attempting this dangerous practice. Those who claim success have been caught sneaking food when they thought no one was watching. Scientists universally condemn this lethal pseudoscience that preys on vulnerable people.
These stick-on patches supposedly melt fat through transdermal delivery of various ingredients. Companies market them with pseudoscientific claims about fat-burning compounds seeping through the skin into fat cells. Clinical studies show these patches work about as well as putting a sticker on your arm – they don’t. The FDA has shut down numerous patch manufacturers for false advertising and dangerous ingredients.
The Sensa sprinkle diet pushed flavored crystals that users scattered on food to suppress appetite. The company claimed their magic dust triggered fullness signals in the brain. After millions in sales, the FTC fined them for deceptive marketing since no evidence supported these claims. The crystals were basically expensive salt and flavoring that did nothing for weight loss.
The vibrating belt machines from the 1950s promised effortless weight loss while users stood still, letting the device jiggle their fat away. Salons and homes across America featured these retro devices that claimed to simulate exercise through vigorous shaking. Despite their widespread popularity, these machines did absolutely nothing for weight loss or muscle toning. The trend fizzled out but later resurfaced in modern forms like vibrating platforms.
This fad caught fire when celebrities started replacing regular meals with tiny jars of pureed baby food, aiming to control portions and lose weight quickly. The diet typically allows 14 jars of baby food daily, plus one regular meal. People following this plan often complained about constant hunger, social isolation, and embarrassment eating baby food at work. Though it might temporarily reduce calories, nutritionists warn about its lack of adult-appropriate nutrients and fiber.
This controversial plan combines daily hormone injections with a severely restricted 500-calorie diet, promising rapid weight loss without hunger. The protocol stems from a 1950s doctor who claimed HCG, a pregnancy hormone, could mobilize fat stores. Medical research thoroughly debunks these claims. Any weight loss comes purely from extreme calorie restriction. The FDA has banned over-the-counter HCG products, yet clinics still offer this dangerous protocol. Patients risk gallstones, electrolyte imbalances, and other serious complications.
Social media influencers heavily promote these supposedly cleansing beverages that promise to flush toxins and shed pounds overnight. The reality? These teas mainly contain harsh laxatives and diuretics that cause temporary water loss. Users often experience uncomfortable side effects like severe cramping, dehydration, and disrupted electrolyte balance. Long-term use can seriously damage digestive health and create dependence on laxatives. Despite medical warnings, companies keep marketing these risky products to young consumers.
This extreme liquid diet consists of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water. Nothing else for 10 days straight. Popularized in the 1940s, it still attracts people hoping to “reset” their bodies and drop weight fast. Followers report intense hunger, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability during the cleanse. While some lose weight initially, it’s mostly water and muscle mass. Medical professionals warn about the risks of nutrient deficiencies and metabolic slowdown. The weight usually returns quickly.
This monotonous week-long plan revolves around unlimited amounts of bland cabbage soup, supplemented with specific foods on different days. People report intense boredom, excessive gas, and social isolation while following this restrictive regimen. The dramatic initial weight loss comes mainly from water and stored carbohydrates, not actual fat tissue. Dieters typically regain everything they lost within weeks of stopping. Medical experts point out the plan lacks adequate protein, healthy fats, and various essential nutrients needed for basic health.
The juice cleanse trend took off with promises of flooding your body with nutrients while flushing out toxins through liquid-only consumption. Companies charge premium prices for pre-packaged juice programs lasting three to ten days. Cleansers often experience headaches, fatigue, and blood sugar crashes from lack of fiber and protein. Your liver and kidneys already handle detoxification perfectly well without expensive juice programs. Most people quickly regain any weight lost once they return to regular eating.
The appealing myth claims certain foods like celery burn more calories during digestion than they contain, creating an automatic calorie deficit. While these foods are very low in calories, none actually creates negative calorie balance through digestion. The concept gained traction through diet books and websites promoting lists of these “magical” foods. Scientific analysis shows even celery provides slightly more calories than your body uses to digest it.
This recurring fad from the 1930s claims grapefruit contains special enzymes that torch fat when eaten before meals. The strict version limits followers to 800 calories daily, with mandatory grapefruit before every meal. Any weight loss stems from severe calorie restriction, not magical fruit properties. While grapefruits offer healthy nutrients, they don’t possess special fat-burning powers. The diet also poses risks for people taking certain medications that interact dangerously with grapefruit.
This trend swept through juice bars and health stores with claims about “detoxifying” everything from your morning smoothie to your face cream. While medical facilities use activated charcoal for poison emergencies, casual consumption offers no proven benefits. The black powder can actually bind to medications and nutrients, making them less effective. Despite zero evidence supporting daily use, companies keep adding it to foods, drinks, and cosmetics at premium prices.
This trendy spa treatment involves repeatedly flushing the colon with water, supposedly removing toxic waste and promoting weight loss. Practitioners claim it cures everything from allergies to arthritis through “detoxification” of trapped material. However, your colon naturally eliminates waste efficiently without intervention. Regular colonics can disrupt beneficial gut bacteria, damage bowel tissue, and cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
This eating plan claims your blood type determines which foods you should eat or avoid for optimal health and weight management. The creator argues that blood types evolved as humans adopted different diets throughout history. The plan assigns specific food restrictions based on being type A, B, AB, or O. Despite its scientific-sounding premise, researchers have found no evidence supporting these blood type-based dietary recommendations.
Raw food enthusiasts claim cooking destroys essential enzymes and nutrients, making uncooked plant foods the key to optimal health. The strict version prohibits heating food above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring extensive meal preparation with dehydrators and special equipment. While raw fruits and vegetables are certainly nutritious, this extreme approach can lead to deficiencies in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. The diet proves especially challenging in cold climates and social situations.
Promoters of this diet claim diseases thrive in acidic conditions, so eating “alkaline” foods prevents illness and promotes weight loss. The theory suggests certain foods can significantly alter your body’s pH levels. However, your body maintains strict pH balance regardless of diet through complex biological systems. While the diet encourages healthy plant foods, its basic premise misunderstands human physiology. The focus on pH levels distracts from genuinely beneficial nutrition principles.
Scottish water therapy has an interesting history dating back to 1843 when Captain R.T. Claridge introduced it through lectures in Glasgow. While some Scots took advantage of highland lochs for treatment, others used the specialty indoor hydrotherapy baths that were built shortly after. Ice baths have gained popularity among athletes in recent years. Former Scotland rugby player Gregor Townsend famously received instructions to sit in Gala Water as a recovery method after matches.
This ancient practice involves swishing oil in your mouth for extended periods, supposedly pulling toxins from your bloodstream through your saliva. Enthusiasts claim it whitens teeth, cures diseases, and detoxifies the entire body. While some studies suggest moderate benefits for oral health, most medical professionals dismiss the broader health claims as unfounded. The practice requires significant time commitment for minimal proven benefits beyond basic oral hygiene routines.
This protein-heavy regimen requires eating primarily eggs for several weeks, promising rapid weight loss through high protein intake and severe carb restriction. People following this plan eat eggs at every meal, sometimes consuming up to six eggs daily, with minimal additions like vegetables or lean meat. Most participants report feeling irritable and exhausted before abandoning the diet.
The massive low-fat movement of the 1980s and 1990s demonized all dietary fat, leading food manufacturers to replace fat with sugar and refined carbohydrates. This misguided trend contributed to rising obesity rates as people consumed more processed “fat-free” products loaded with hidden sugars. Scientists now recognize that healthy fats play crucial roles in hormone production, nutrient absorption, and brain health.
This expensive treatment involves standing nearly naked in a chamber chilled to minus 200 degrees Fahrenheit for several minutes. Spas claim the intense cold reduces inflammation, speeds recovery, burns calories, and even reverses aging. Each session costs upward of $100, with recommended multiple weekly visits. While athletes might benefit from cold therapy for muscle recovery, research doesn’t support the broader health claims.
These complicated plans claim to optimize weight loss by eating specific foods at certain times to influence hormone levels. Programs typically involve elaborate schedules, expensive supplements, and strict food combinations supposedly targeting different hormones. While hormones certainly affect metabolism, research shows little evidence that specific food timing significantly impacts hormone levels.
This modified low-carb plan emerged as a gentler alternative to Atkins, emphasizing lean proteins and healthy fats while gradually reintroducing certain carbohydrates. The program involves three phases with increasingly relaxed food rules. Although less restrictive than some diets, many people struggle with the initial very low-carb phase and complex food selection guidelines. Success rates drop significantly during the maintenance phase when dieters must navigate food choices without strict rules.
This plan requires followers to eat in a strict ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat at every meal and snack. Proponents claim this balance optimizes hormone levels and reduces inflammation. The complicated system involves measuring and weighing portions to achieve exact macronutrient ratios. While the balanced approach has merit, most people find it impractical to maintain such precise ratios long-term. The rigid structure often leads to burnout.
The coconut oil craze swept through health food stores with wild claims about its ability to cure everything from Alzheimer’s to obesity. Marketing campaigns portrayed it as a miracle food that could boost metabolism, kill harmful bacteria, and improve brain function. While studies show some benefits from medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil, excessive consumption can raise cholesterol levels. Health experts now recommend using it in moderation alongside other healthy fats.
This pantry staple rocketed to superfood status with promises of melting belly fat, controlling blood sugar, and curing digestive issues. Devotees knock back daily shots or take concentrated capsules, often damaging tooth enamel and irritating their digestive tracts. Research supports modest benefits for blood sugar control when used with meals. However, many people abandon the practice after experiencing acid reflux and nausea from consuming straight vinegar. The weight loss claims remain largely unproven.
This practice involves walking barefoot or using special conductive mats to connect with Earth’s electrical energy. Proponents claim it reduces inflammation, improves sleep, and lowers stress by neutralizing harmful positive electrons in our bodies. Special earthing sheets and mats sell for hundreds of dollars. While spending time outdoors certainly benefits health, scientific evidence doesn’t support specific claims about electrical grounding.
This five-day modified fast claims to provide longevity benefits while allowing small amounts of specific foods. The program costs around $250 for five days of prepackaged meals totaling 800-1,100 calories daily. Researchers found some promising results for reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair. However, the steep price tag makes it inaccessible for many people. Some users report intense hunger, headaches, and difficulty concentrating during the protocol.
The gluten-free trend exploded far beyond its original purpose of helping celiac disease patients, creating a massive market for wheat-free products. Many people without gluten sensitivity jumped on the bandwagon, believing it would improve health and aid weight loss. Manufacturers responded by creating processed gluten-free foods often higher in sugar and calories than their wheat-containing counterparts.
Marketing teams transformed ordinary nutritious foods into must-have “superfoods” commanding premium prices. Acai berries, goji berries, and chia seeds flew off shelves as consumers sought their promised anti-aging and weight loss benefits. While these foods offer valuable nutrients, their benefits were massively oversold. Regular fruits and vegetables provide similar nutrition at fraction of the cost.
This strict eating pattern based on Japanese principles emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, and beans while excluding most animal products and processed foods. Followers must cook most meals from scratch using specific techniques and avoid microwaves. While the diet includes many healthy components, its rigid rules make social eating nearly impossible. The restrictions can lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, and protein.
The bone broth trend swept through wellness circles with promises of healing leaky gut, reducing joint pain, and improving skin elasticity. People started paying up to $15 per cup for fancy versions of what’s essentially homemade stock. While broth provides some nutrients and can feel soothing, many claimed benefits lack scientific backing. The collagen in broth breaks down during digestion rather than directly benefiting joints or skin.
This strict 30-day elimination program bans dairy, grains, legumes, sugar, and processed foods while promising to reset eating habits and identify food sensitivities. Participants report significant mood swings and intense cravings during the first two weeks, dubbed the “killing all the things” phase. The complex rules make eating out nearly impossible, forcing extensive meal prep. While some people identify genuine food sensitivities, others find the restrictions unnecessarily strict and the reintroduction phase confusing.
This famous low-carb plan sparked the modern carb-cutting movement, promoting unlimited meat and fat while demonizing bread and fruit. Initial phases restrict carbs to under 20 grams daily, leading to rapid water weight loss that many mistake for fat loss. The diet’s popularity spawned countless products and copycat plans. Many followers report constipation, bad breath, and intense carb cravings. Long-term success rates dropped as people struggled to maintain such severe carb restriction indefinitely.
This eating pattern aims to mimic our prehistoric ancestors’ diets by eliminating grains, dairy, and processed foods. Followers load up on meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables while avoiding anything they believe wasn’t available to cavemen. The diet spawned an entire industry of paleo-approved products and meal plans. Critics point out that modern foods barely resemble their prehistoric counterparts. The heavy emphasis on meat consumption raises both environmental and health concerns.
This ultra-low-carb, high-fat diet forces your body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. Followers track macros obsessively to maintain ketosis, often testing their blood or urine with special strips. Initial side effects include fatigue, headaches, and the notorious “keto flu.” While effective for some conditions like epilepsy, the diet proves challenging to maintain long-term. Many people struggle with the strict macronutrient ratios and limited food choices.
This eating pattern alternates periods of eating with deliberate fasting, ranging from daily 16-hour fasts to alternate-day feeding schedules. Unlike many fad diets, research shows promising results for weight management and metabolic health. However, some people report difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety, and binge eating during feeding windows. The schedule can complicate social situations and family meals.
After examining these 40 health trends from worst to best, a pattern emerges. The dangerous fads at the bottom promised miracle results with zero effort, while our top-ranked methods focused on sustainable changes backed by science. Next time a new health trend pops up, check where it might land on this list: closer to the cotton ball diet or intermittent fasting?