5 Health Products that are a Waste of Money
Health had become a profit-based industry, with people selling wellness courses, products, and information. As such, it becomes harder to tell what’s good for you, and what’s a cash grab. The fact is, some health products are a waste of money.
5 Health Products to Avoid at the Store
Here is a list of 5 health products that are a complete waste of money! Save your cash and your health by avoiding these “nutritious” health products that have no business being in your wellness journey.
1. Fiber Supplements
Fiber supplements include psyllium, dextrin, methylcellulose, and many more labeled as superfoods. These are either used to trick the body into being full or deal with upset stomachs and constipation.
The truth is, these supplements can actually make the digestive issue much worse and cause upset stomachs very often.
Instead of buying these, consume vegetables that are naturally high in fiber such as collared greens, artichokes, or spinach, and use chia seeds or flax seeds naturally in smoothies, salads, or yogurt. If you want to feel full for longer, be sure to get enough protein in your meals.
2. Probiotics Pills
Probiotic pills are expensive and there is absolutely no research indicating that it affects the microbiota in the gut. They can even be detrimental to individuals with digestive or gut issues.
Instead of using a pill, reach for a variety of foods that nurture the good gut bacteria you already have. You want to eat the rainbow, so get all types and colors of fruits and vegetables to have a diverse, balanced gut.
You can also eat fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, or kombucha to gain natural probiotics, and try foods with live cultures like yogurt or milk kefir.
3. Multivitamins
Multivitamins are marketed as a necessary daily supplement. If you don’t eat one, you’re deficient in some important nutrients. The truth is unless directed by your doctor, you do not need a multivitamin.
Most vitamins and minerals are needed in trace amounts, ridiculously small quantities, and so long as you eat a salad every so often, you should be getting all the nutrients you need.
Therefore, instead of reaching for a multivitamin, make a healthy smoothie, add a side salad to meals, and make sure to eat a large variety of fruits, vegetables, carbs, fats, protein, and legumes.
4. Alkaline Water
Alkaline water, aka the perfect water for the body right? It claims, due to its pH to be better for the body. Alkaline refers to a pH above 7, with 7 being neutral, and anything below 7 being acidic.
In reality, more research is needed to make any claim on the benefits of alkaline water, as no large study has found conclusive evidence. Plus, once you drink alkaline water that has a pH of 9, it reaches the stomach which has a pH of 2, a very acidic environment. In general, your body pH is very well managed to the point that the blood has a unique pH of 7.35 to 7.45.
Instead of drinking alkaline water, drink regular water, adding electrolytes or salt to increase hydration.
5. Detox Products
Detox or cleansing products usually claim to clean out the entire body, flush out the guts, and remove any toxins. In reality, detox items are usually packed with ingredients that have a diuretic and laxative effect, that make you use the restroom more. This can lead to dehydration and nutrient deficiency in a short period of time.
Instead of trying to flush out the system, eat and drink things that are good for liver and kidney health, which are organs in the body that naturally remove toxins from the system.
For liver health, have some coffee, teas, grapefruit, berries, and high-fiber vegetables like cabbage, kale, and cauliflower. For kidney health, many of these overlap, like cauliflower, and blueberries, but you can also eat egg whites bell peppers and onion.
The Takeaway
Some health products are unnecessary. Many have little to no research supporting how effective they are and others are just useless if you eat a vegetable every once and a while. Inform yourself with factual evidence to make good decisions about health.
Remember that health starts from within. Fuel the body with nutritious food, work out daily, and cater to mental wellbeing to watch how overall wellness improves. Fitness is about the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of life. Add self-care in, do a skincare routine daily, and add healthy habits you can nurture.
Never forget about the gut microbiota! A balanced gut allows us to grow muscles, improve mental health, clear the skin, regulate metabolism, boost the immune system, and improve digestion and nutrient absorption. As I’ve said, you can eat a very nutritious diet, but without gut health, you may have difficulty absorbing and using those vitamins and minerals.
