Diet and health trends come and go each year, but not all popular fads are necessarily healthy or the best option for everyone. Here are three of the top health and wellness fads of 2018 and what you need to know before giving them a try.
1. Activated Charcoal
From toothpaste to smoothies, activated charcoal was everywhere this year. In emergency rooms, this ingredient is sometimes used to treat drug overdoses, since it binds to toxins and keeps them from being absorbed by the body. But while it may be safe to consume in small doses, there is no hard evidence that adding it to your diet has any real health benefits.
If you take any medications, including birth control, talk to your doctor before trying activated charcoal, because it could bind to those medications and stop your body from absorbing them.
2. “Detox” Diets
“Detox” diets have been around for quite some time, but the truth is that there’s no real way to detoxify your body by eating or drinking certain ingredients.
The problem with many detox diets is that they eliminate important food groups from your daily diet, which may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
3. Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet become wildly popular this year. This is a low-carb, high-fat diet aimed at triggering your body to burn fat. However, the keto diet isn’t for everyone, since it is very high in protein. Check with your doctor before starting a restrictive diet such as the keto diet.
Bottom Line
While some health trends might be worth trying, others aren’t likely to be worth your while. In some cases, fad diets can be detrimental to your health. Play it safe and do your research before jumping on board with the latest trend.
