TikTok is home to a series of health and wellness trends and can be the place many people turn to for the latest diet and exercise trends. Whether you’re interested in pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), kettlebells, or simply going for a quick run, chances are there is a health trend spread across people’s For You pages to keep up with. While some of these trends are genuinely beneficial and can support people in achieving their fitness goals, others are likely to be the biggest waste of time or even encourage unhealthy behaviours that can actually cause more harm than good. In its latest campaign, Simple Online Pharmacy delves into some of the TikTok health trends you might see around and reveals the potential benefits and dangers.
One popular diet trend on TikTok is intermittent fasting, when you eat within, for example, a 10-hour window and refrain from eating for the other 14. Some TikTokers report that from intermittent fasting, they’ve lost weight and experienced improved focus and energy. However, although intermittent fasting can be effective for some, it isn’t suitable for everyone, especially those with specific dietary needs or with health conditions.
Another diet trend is the green smoothie cleanse, where TikTokers substitute their meals with smoothies to help ‘detoxify’ their bodies, which could ultimately assist in weight loss. While some might say that extreme diet cleanses like this detox the body, others would probably argue that these types of detox diets are unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
TikTok is filled with short ab workout challenges promising toned abs in just a few weeks. These challenges are appealing as they offer a quick fix, but building core strength and achieving visible abs requires more than a few exercises each day and involves your diet, too. Overdoing these challenges can lead to muscle strain, and without including looking at the person’s diet, it is unlikely to produce the expected results.
HIIT workouts are all over TikTok and are popular as a way to burn calories quickly. However, it’s important to have a proper warm-up, which is often not included in these viral videos. Some TikTok HIIT routines can be pretty intense for beginners, and without a proper warmup, even the fittest following along could experience injury.
It’s easy to get sucked into trends online. I’ve tried squat challenges and a disgusting juice cleanse, which I wouldn’t recommend. More recently, I’ve dabbled in intermittent fasting, but I have learned to listen to my body, and I don’t stick strictly to a challenge if something doesn’t feel right. I know that while trends can provide motivation and give you a sense of community, knowledge, and commitment are needed in the longer term.
The Simple Online Pharmacy’s campaign on Healthy or Harmful TikTok Trends offers guidance for anyone interested in TikTok wellness trends. Ultimately, health and fitness should be about creating sustainable long-term habits that suit your individual needs. And try to remember that social media should inspire and not dictate your health journey.