Social media platforms have taught people many things about health, sometimes it opens up a new world, but everything shared there must be taken with a pinch of salt, including salt itself. This is one such trend of the Pink Salt Trick Recipe, promoted mainly on TikTok and YouTube. The claim is that this helps with weight loss. The trend has exploded on the social media platform where a drink is made with pink Himalayan salt, lemon juice, and water. It is a "supposed shortcut to fat loss and metabolic reset".

Today, we fact check it.

Can You Lose Weight With Pink Salt Trick Recipe?

One must be vary of how things are being promoted on social media. The trend of the popular pink salt trick recipe has been promoted on social media using AI. These videos amplify the use of this very drink using deepfake videos of celebrities endorsing it. The promoters in the videos claim the recipe "melts fat", "reset metabolism", and is "better than Ozempic".

In fact, one of the videos surfaced was of Oprah Winfrey praising the drink, when in reality, she has never endorsed this. She has previously also condemned such scams. Independent fact-checkers too have confirmed that the videos are fake and that such videos can lead to misleading health claims.

The recipe to the "supposed" weight loss drink is quite simple, which is why it has driven a lot of attraction. The TikTok videos claim that all you need to do is add 1/2 teaspoon of pink salt, juice from 1/2 lemon to a glass of water and mix it together. Your "weight loss" drink is ready.

However, there are no scientific reviews that show any credible evidence that pink salt water can drive weight loss or suppress appetite.

Also Read: Fact Check: Are Popular Pain Killers Really Causing Infertility?

What Do Experts Say?

In fact, nutritionists have warned that high sodium intake could increase blood pressure and water retention, which could lead to bloating than fat reduction. Some experts also point that lack of iodine in pink salt could also lead to thyroid disruption if it is consumed daily and the pink salt is replaced for the regular table salt.

Missouri State University also did its own investigation and spoke to a registered dietitian Natalie Allen, who clarified, "Pink salt does not speed up metabolism, detox the body or cause weight loss."

This trend is more popular among women, due to the scrutiny they receive for their body shapes and weight. Especially, women over 30, when they are navigating hormonal changes, stress, and fatigue find solace to such "easy" weight loss tricks. However, numerous times have fitness coaches and experts have emphasized that there is really no shortcut to weight loss. From time and again emphasis have been given to a healthy diet along with physical activity to help one lose weight.

Another reason why this unscientific trend is gaining traction is due to the way videos have been marketed and circulated. The captions read: "My pants are falling off after 2 weeks of this!" or "This drink is replacing Ozempic for me", or "No more caffeine crashes, this is the real deal." Such captions often resonate with viewers searching for easy solutions, things they can easily find in their kitchen cabinet, however, it can do more harm than good.

When it comes to supplements, the word “natural” often creates a false sense of security. Millions of people add pills, powders, or extracts to their daily routine believing they’re boosting heart health, immunity, or overall well-being. But supplements aren’t regulated like prescription medications, and in some cases, they can pose serious risks—particularly when it comes to blood clotting.

Blood clots aren’t just a minor health hiccup. They can trigger life-threatening events like stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism. While certain supplements are marketed as heart-friendly, research shows that a few of them may actually interfere with circulation or tip the balance toward excessive clotting.

To understand what’s at stake, let’s take a closer look at three commonly used supplements—L-arginine, garlic pills, and red yeast rice—that doctors say warrant caution if cardiovascular health is a concern.

Why Supplements Shouldn't Be Held to the Same Standard as Medications?

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand the playing field. Prescription drugs in the U.S. undergo rigorous testing for safety, quality, and effectiveness. Supplements, however, don’t. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate whether the manufacturing process ensures purity, whether the label accurately reflects what’s inside, or whether the product is even effective.

That means one brand of a supplement could contain a negligible dose, while another might contain levels strong enough to mimic a prescription drug—with side effects to match. For people already on heart medications, these interactions can become especially dangerous.

1. L-Arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body produce nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and opens blood vessels. Because of this, L-arginine supplements are often promoted as circulation boosters that can lower blood pressure, improve exercise endurance, and even support erectile function.

On paper, it sounds promising. In practice, it’s far more complicated.

Clinical research has raised red flags, especially for people with existing heart disease. In one study of heart attack survivors, participants taking L-arginine had to be withdrawn early because several experienced fatal outcomes. The supplement may also dangerously amplify the effects of blood pressure medications, leading to sudden dips in pressure that strain the cardiovascular system.

For those on blood thinners, L-arginine can raise the risk of excessive bleeding. Pair it with ACE inhibitors, and potassium levels may spike to harmful ranges. In other words, the very population that might be drawn to this supplement—people with heart concerns—are often those who should avoid it.

2. Garlic Pills

Garlic has a long history of use as both food and medicine. From lowering cholesterol to supporting immune health, it has been praised for centuries. Today, garlic supplements are sold in multiple forms: powdered capsules, oil extracts, and aged garlic tablets. Many people reach for them to help control cholesterol or blood pressure without relying solely on medication.

But the supplement version doesn’t come without risks. Garlic pills can intensify the effects of certain prescription drugs. For patients on blood thinners, garlic may heighten bleeding risk. When combined with cholesterol-lowering medications like statins, it can increase the chance of muscle damage. And when taken alongside blood pressure medication, garlic may push blood pressure too low, causing dizziness, fainting, or even dangerous cardiac events.

Doctors also point out a crucial truth: there’s no solid evidence that taking garlic in supplement form works better than simply eating garlic in food. Fresh garlic provides the flavor and possible benefits without the unpredictability of concentrated extracts.

3. Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice may not be a household name, but in the supplement aisle, it’s marketed as a “natural” alternative to prescription statins for cholesterol control. The key compound in red yeast rice, monacolin K, is chemically identical to lovastatin—a drug prescribed to millions of patients worldwide.

Here’s where the problem lies: unlike prescription drugs, red yeast rice products are not standardized. Some bottles may contain barely detectable levels of monacolin K, while others pack in doses comparable to prescription medications. If someone unknowingly takes red yeast rice while also being prescribed a statin, they could effectively double their dose, putting them at risk of muscle pain, liver damage, or a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure.

Adding another layer of concern, some research suggests red yeast rice may unpredictably alter blood lipid levels, which in turn affects clotting. For people with clotting disorders or cardiovascular conditions, this uncertainty makes the supplement especially risky.

Why These Risks Related to Supplements Often Overlooked?

Many supplement users never realize these dangers because the industry is structured around marketing more than clinical oversight. Labels highlight potential benefits but rarely warn about interactions or long-term risks. Add to that the cultural perception that “natural equals safe,” and it becomes easy to see how these products land in medicine cabinets without much scrutiny.

The truth is, supplements can act like drugs in the body sometimes without the consistency or oversight that makes drugs safer to use.

What You Should Do Before Taking Any Supplement?

For people considering supplements—whether for heart health, energy, or general wellness—the safest approach is to bring the conversation to a healthcare provider. That means not only asking whether a supplement is effective but also whether it could interact with any current prescriptions or underlying conditions. Doctors recommend:

Keeping a complete list of everything you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements.

Discussing any new supplement with your physician or pharmacist before starting it.

Prioritizing proven lifestyle strategies for heart health like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management before turning to pills.

Supplements like L-arginine, garlic pills, and red yeast rice may sound like simple solutions for better heart health, but each comes with risks that can affect blood clotting and circulation. In some cases, they may increase the very dangers they claim to reduce.

If you’re already managing heart disease, high blood pressure, or cholesterol, these risks are even higher. And if you’re on blood thinners or other cardiac medications, the potential for interactions can’t be ignored.

Treat supplements with the same level of caution as prescription drugs, and never start one without checking with your doctor. Your heart and health are too important to gamble on unregulated pills.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or combining any supplements or medications, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking prescription drugs.

We all love a “little more” salt in our dishes. But it may be silently messing with your brain in ways you never imagined. According to a new study, overdoing it with salt does not just raise your blood pressure through your kidneys. It could actually set off a chain reaction in your brain that ends up with your arteries under siege.

Salt, your brain, and the “missing link”

Researchers at McGill University have uncovered what they call a crucial “missing link” between high salt intake and high blood pressure. While most of us have been taught that hypertension largely stems from the kidneys, this study flips that idea on its head. Certain types of high blood pressure, it turns out, may actually start in the brain.

“This is new evidence that high blood pressure can originate in the brain, opening the door for developing treatments that act on the brain,” explained Masha Prager-Khoutorsky, lead researcher and associate professor in McGill’s Department of Physiology.

Until now, the brain’s role in high blood pressure has been largely ignored. “The brain’s role in hypertension has largely been overlooked, in part because it is harder to study. But with new techniques, we are able to see these changes in action,” she added.

Rats, junk food, and more

To test the theory, the team used rats as stand-ins for fast-food-loving humans. Their subjects were put on a diet containing 2 per cent salt, the equivalent of a person living off bacon, instant noodles, and processed cheese.

The results lead to their brains lighting up like warning sirens. High salt intake triggered immune cells in a specific brain region, sparking inflammation. This, in turn, caused a surge in vasopressin, a hormone that usually keeps tabs on kidney function, salt balance, and blood pressure. Unfortunately, too much vasopressin sent blood pressure soaring.

In short, a diet of salty snacks did not just burden the kidneys. It rewired the brain’s chemistry, paving the way for hypertension to take hold.

It matters more than you think

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” for a reason. It rarely comes with symptoms but can strike dramatically in the form of heart attacks or strokes. Left unchecked, it can also lead to kidney failure, heart failure, vision problems, or even vascular dementia.

The McGill findings could explain why some people’s high blood pressure stubbornly resists kidney-focused treatments. If the root problem lies in the brain, addressing only the kidneys is like fixing the plumbing when the real leak is in the ceiling.

Panicking does not help

It is a wake-up call to pay closer attention to hidden salt. The real issue is not the pinch you add to your curry. It is the packaged and processed foods, from crisps and biscuits to soups and ready-made sauces, that stealthily load your body with sodium.

Start small. Check food labels. Swap salty snacks for nuts or fruit. If you really crave flavour, lean on herbs, spices, and citrus instead of reaching for the salt pot. Your taste buds adapt surprisingly quickly.

Blood pressure

Of course, salt is not the only one that leads to high blood pressure. Smoking, excessive drinking, sedentary habits, and genetics all add to the mix. Cutting down on alcohol and cigarettes, moving your body more, and booking a regular blood pressure check can all make a difference. You do not need a full lifestyle change overnight. Even small, steady tweaks can keep your blood pressure in check and your brain from turning into an inflammation hotspot.

If you have been following trends on social media, you know how much attention basil seeds get, besides, of course, the evergreen chia seeds. Also known as sabja or tukmaria, basil seeds are often mistaken for chia seeds. But do they really live up to the internet hype? A Harvard gut health expert, Dr Saurabh Sethi, has been setting the record straight and some of these myth-busting facts may surprise you.

Are Basil Seeds Gut Friendly?

Basil seeds are absolutely the best when it comes to supporting your gut microbiome. Their high fibre content helps feed the good bacteria in your intestines, which in turn keeps digestion smooth and balanced. If constipation has been your unwanted house guest, soaking a spoonful of these seeds in water and sipping them down could push things back into rhythm.

What About the Weight Loss Hype?

Unlike flashy diet supplements, basil seeds take a more old-fashioned approach: they simply swell up in your stomach after soaking. This expansion creates a natural feeling of fullness, which can help curb those unnecessary snack attacks. Pair them with a balanced diet and you have got yourself a sustainable weight-management tool.

Beware the Bloat

Before you go overboard, there is something you must know. Eating basil seeds dry or in excess can cause bloating and discomfort. They are water-hungry seeds, designed to absorb several times their weight in liquid. So if you skip the soaking step, they might pull water from your gut instead, leaving you puffed up and regretting your health experiment.

Built-In Hydration

Speaking of water, basil seeds act like tiny sponges. Once soaked, they hold on to significant amounts of liquid, which can help your body stay hydrated, especially during hot weather. They are like edible water, refreshing and surprisingly functional.

They Boost Fertility?

Despite what you may have heard in wellness WhatsApp groups, there is no scientific evidence linking basil seeds to improved fertility. The internet loves a miracle cure, but sadly, this is not one of them.

Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Control

If you are keeping an eye on blood sugar, basil seeds might be your quiet ally. Studies suggest that they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, helping prevent sudden glucose spikes after meals. They may also contribute to lowering cholesterol, making them a handy add-on to heart-friendly diets.

Does it Boost Your Mood?

Wish they worked as antidepressants? Same here. While they are certainly nutritious, current evidence does not support the idea that basil seeds can directly lift depression. Instead, they support your wellness routine rather than taking care of your mental health.

Packed with Nutrients, Not Calories

A tablespoon of basil seeds gives you only about 40–50 calories, making them light on energy but rich in minerals. They are naturally gluten-free and loaded with calcium, magnesium, and iron—all essentials for strong bones and overall vitality. If dairy does not suit you, basil seeds can step in as a small but mighty calcium source.

How Much Should You Actually Eat?

The sweet spot is just 1–2 teaspoons of soaked basil seeds daily. That is enough to reap their benefits without overdoing it. Toss them into lemon water, stir them into smoothies, or sneak them into desserts for a fun texture.

Basil seeds are not a cure-all, but they are far from overrated. They hydrate, support digestion, aid in weight control, and deliver essential minerals. All while being light on calories. Just remember: soak before eating, keep the portions modest, and ignore the wild claims about fertility or instant happiness.