Nayanthara’s post on Hibiscus tea face backlash from Dr. Abby Philips, prompting removal
Nayanthara's post on Hibiscus tea face backlash from Dr. Abby Philips, prompting removal
Actress Nayanthara’s Instagram post on hibiscus tea benefits was labeled “quackery” by Dr. Abby Philips, leading to its removal and sparking a discussion on celebrity responsibility in sharing health information.
South Indian actress Nayanthara recently found herself in the midst of a social media controversy after posting about the purported health benefits of hibiscus tea on Instagram. The post, which praised hibiscus tea for its antioxidant properties and benefits for diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart ailments, and immunity, was met with significant backlash from Dr. Abby Philips, known online as The Liver Doc.
This is cinema actress Nayantara who has more than twice the following of the other actress Samantha miselading her 8.7 million followers on a supplement called hibiscus tea.
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July 29, 2024
If she had stopped at hibiscus tea is kind of tasty, that would have been ok. But no, they have to go… pic.twitter.com/d1fQCohsGU
Dr. Philips, a prominent medical professional, criticized Nayanthara’s claims as misleading and unsubstantiated. He accused her of spreading misinformation and using her platform to promote her nutritionist, Munmun Ganeriwal, without scientific evidence to back up the health benefits she mentioned. He particularly took issue with the assertions that hibiscus tea could help with diabetes, high blood pressure, acne, and flu protection, labeling these claims as “absolute BS, quackery.”
In his response, Dr. Philips emphasized that while it is acceptable to endorse a beverage as tasty, promoting it with unverified health claims contributes to health illiteracy. This incident is not an isolated case; Dr. Philips has previously called out other celebrities, including actress Samantha, for advocating unproven health therapies.
Nayanthara’s post, which also described hibiscus tea as beneficial during the monsoon season for its vitamin content and antibacterial properties, has since been removed following the backlash. This incident highlights the growing scrutiny on public figures who endorse health products and practices without solid scientific backing.
The removal of the post underscores the influence and responsibility of celebrities in sharing health-related content. While traditional practices like Ayurveda hold cultural significance, it is crucial to balance these with scientific validation to avoid spreading misinformation. The backlash against Nayanthara’s post serves as a reminder of the need for critical thinking and caution when disseminating health information online.
Public figures, given their vast reach and influence, have a duty to ensure the accuracy of the information they endorse. As social media continues to be a major source of health information for many, the role of experts like Dr. Philips in debunking myths and promoting evidence-based practices becomes increasingly important.
