Fact Check: Beware of AI-generated doctors peddling fake health claims

Hyderabad: The new misinformation health trend is emerging where AI bots with human faces are being used to give authenticity to unscientific home remedies for ailments.

One such ‘informational video’ posted on Facebook has an AI bot – with the face of an elderly Caucasian male mouthing Hindi words – explaining how drinking Chia seeds soaked in water once a day will help get rid of diabetes and the excess fats around the belly.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim by the ‘bot doctor’ is false.

Can Chia seeds cure diabetes?

Chia seeds indeed have a number of medical applications when included in the diet. The benefits include reduced free radicals, better heart health, improved blood sugar level especially when it comes to type-2 diabetes, reduced inflammation, managing weight (along with exercise and proper diet) and better bone health.

According to WebMD, Chia seeds contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fibre, antioxidants, and calcium.

According to Medical News Today, “Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, Omega 3 fatty acids, fibre, and magnesium. All of these may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications. One ounce (28.35 g) of dried chia seeds provides almost 10g of fibre. An adult should consume between 22.4 and 33.6g of fibre each day, depending on their age and sex.”

This shows that Chia seeds can only help manage type-2 diabetes under certain conditions. We could not find any scientific evidence that confirm Chia seeds as a diabetes cure.

Can Chia seeds help in weight loss?

According to WebMD, “Enjoy Chia seeds for their flavour and to boost the fibre, protein, calcium, antioxidants, and Omega-3s in your diet. But don’t expect a big weight loss boost. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet (or seed) for weight loss. If you want to lose weight, you’ll need to follow a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and get more physical activity,” it added.

Dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, explains the science behind the seeds to Cleveland: “Chia seeds can absorb as much as 12 times their weight. The idea behind drinking chia seed water is that the wet seeds will enlarge your stomach and take up space, preventing you from getting hungry. That may, in turn, cause you to become less hungry and ultimately help you to lose weight.”

She also warns about the backdrops of having too many Chia seeds, “If you’re eating a lot of fibre and not drinking enough fluid along with it, the Chia seeds will start to absorb the fluid in your gut and cause you to have a hard stool.”

Lastly, we found a study by Healthline that says, “Chia seeds are a nutritious pseudo-grain that can be part of a healthy weight loss plan. But they’re not a quick fix to drop a dress size. And if you eat too many, they may have the opposite effect. No single food is ever responsible for healthy weight loss.”

Healthline also added a note for people taking certain medications. It says, “Note: Chia seeds may interact with blood pressure medications or blood thinners such as warfarin. If you take any of these drugs, don’t eat chia seeds.”