Nothing will make me scroll to the next video faster than when I see a TikTok creator pull out a frother to start making a drink with Bloom Greens & Superfoods powder. My “For You” page also feeds me copious videos of people displaying their supplement routine featuring various different pills and powders. Further, I find myself unable to escape the vague term “gut health” being thrown around with people claiming I need to try a revolutionary probiotic pill or digestive enzymes.
My problem with TikTok wellness trends is not necessarily the general use of supplements and homeopathic remedies. The issue is that few of these creators seem to be encouraging people to consult with trained medical professionals to assess their personal health needs while simultaneously claiming certain products and practices have been miraculous cures for their issues with bloating and digestion, fatigue, stress, etc.
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Some creators have begun promoting supplements like ashwagandha for anxiety management and stress reduction. The ashwagandha hashtag has nearly 650 million views on TikTok. On a video encouraging women to take ashwagandha pills, one commenter wrote, “literally just watched a video of this maybe it’s a sign.”
When it comes to things you put inside your body, nothing about those choices should be as simple as clicking an Amazon link and receiving your new product in two days. The vast quantity of videos making unsubstantiated health claims, in addition to comments from people asking questions about supplements to creators with no medical background, signal to me that many consumers are doing little to no outside research. People should consult with licensed physicians to validate the claims of influencers aggressively marketing wellness products.
Greens powder supplements are particularly popular right now, especially from the brand Bloom Nutrition, which is being promoted by creators like Alix Earle — who has amassed 4.6 million followers on TikTok. In a “What I Eat in a Day” video, Earle shows herself drinking a cup of water with the powder mixed in and included #bloompartner in the caption.
Earle is the kind of woman that I would guess many young women and girls desire to be. She is beautiful — boasting long platinum blonde hair, a lean figure and a seemingly never-ending wardrobe. Her videos often entail getting ready for parties and traveling with friends while being a college student at the University of Miami.
Bloom Nutrition and similar companies specifically use creators like Earle to market their products because her impressionable young viewers are likely to believe that by buying that supplement, they may inch just a bit closer to her lifestyle. The ironic thing is that Earle already eats what appears to be a nutritious diet that likely supplies her with many of the nutrients she needs. In the same video, she ate several different kinds of vegetables and protein throughout the day.
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Bloom Nutrition claims that for $39.99 — for just a 30-day supply — their greens supplement can reduce bloating, balance gut health and boost energy. This particular supplement and similar ones may not be actively harmful, but there is little extensive research to support their efficacy, and the benefits of eating real vegetables and fruits do not seamlessly translate to consuming a dehydrated and highly processed powder.
Supplements are less regulated than medications, so you cannot always be confident in the results they will deliver. While experts say that many supplements are generally harmless at worst, they can also be extremely pricey while failing to deliver the results they promise. Doctors and scientists widely recommend that if you are looking to improve your health in areas like energy and digestion, it is best to eat a diverse, nutrient-rich diet and practice daily physical activity.
If you are truly concerned about any aspect of your health and want to make a difference, I implore you to speak with a doctor or registered dietitian to figure out what lifestyle choices, foods, supplements and medications are ideal for you before you listen to a TikTok creator with no credentials.
Leila Faraday (she/her) is a freshman studying policy analysis. Her wellness routine includes stealing a sugar-covered, orange flavored Vitamin C gummy to chew every time she is in her friend’s dorm.
