Fact Check: Can herbal ‘immunity booster’ drinks save lives? No, don’t fall for unscientific claims by celebrities
Former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has credited his wife’s recovery from cancer to intermittent fasting and herbal drinks.
By Neelambaran A Published on 6 Dec 2024 11:05 PM IST
Claim: An Instagram video advises consuming a herbal drink prepared from ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, orange and lemon to boost immunity.
Fact: The claim is misleading. Despite the individual medicinal benefits of the ingredients, they can only be, at best, supplements to the main treatment.
Former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has recently claimed that his wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, recovered from cancer mainly by following a particular diet.
In a video, he stated that methods such as intermittent fasting and herbal drinks directly helped in his wife’s recovery. The statement has resulted in considerable backlash. Several experts, including 262 present and former oncologists from the Tata Memorial Hospital signed a statement rejecting Sidhu’s claims as ‘unproven remedies’.
But that has not stopped people from rushing to create and share on social media more such ‘life-saving recipes’.
One such recipe, claiming to be a natural immunity booster, is viral on Instagram. It advises people to consume a concoction prepared by blending ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, orange and lemon to ‘ward off flu and increase immunity in general’. A video of Sidhu’s statement has been overlayed in a corner of the video showing the steps to make the concoction.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading. Several experts from Hyderabad said that though consuming the ingredients individually can help manage symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory properties, they are not a substitute for medical treatment.
“The immunity booster drink containing ingredients like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, orange and lemon are popular for their potential health benefits. Consuming them as drinks can be a healthy addition to your diet and may help support your immune system. However, they should not be relied upon as a sole treatment for serious health conditions,” Dr Sri Krishna Raghavendra B, consultant general physician, Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar said.
The potential benefits of the ingredients are:
1. Ginger: Contains gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It may help reduce nausea and improve digestion.
2. Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin.
3. Cinnamon: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to help regulate blood sugar levels.
4. Black Pepper: Enhances the absorption of curcumin from turmeric and has its own anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Orange and Lemon: High in Vitamin C which supports immune function and has antioxidant properties.
However, the ingredients have their own limitations when it comes to curing illnesses entirely.
“While these ingredients have compounds that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, they are not a cure for cancer. They might support overall health and well-being but should not replace conventional cancer treatments. Similarly, these ingredients do not have the capacity to cure autoimmune diseases. These drinks may help manage symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory properties, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment,” Dr Sri Krishna added.
Therefore, we conclude that the claim is misleading. The herbal concoction is a supplement at best and can’t be a life-saving potion.
