Beware new year ‘teatoxes’, says senior doctor

THE most senior doctor in the NHS has warned against “teatoxes” and other fad new year diets that can cause serious health problems.

Dr Stephen Powis said the “quick-fix techniques”, many of which are heavily promoted on social media, can threaten the heart and even lead to unplanned pregnancy.

The NHS medical director said that as well as weight-loss teas, for which there is a growing trend, diet pills and appetite suppressants can cause harm.

All can act as a laxative, flushing out the contraceptive pill before it has had time to take effect.

Dr Powis’s intervention follows calls earlier this year for social media firms

to crack down on celebrities and other online influencers posting misleading information about dangerous or unproven dieting techniques.

It comes as evidence suggests one in four young people now view their personal appearance as their top concern.

“People need to think very carefully before peddling potentially risky remedies, either on social media or anywhere else,” said Dr Powis.

“Celebrities and social influencers – and the social media companies which host them – should have a duty of care to make sure they fully understand the health risks involved before young followers of social media posts are exposed to risky products.”

Certain teatox products contain the ingredient senna, which causes a laxative effect, increasing the frequency of bowel movements. Many of the diet plans on the market comprise two tea bags, one to be taken in the morning which is an energising herbal tea, with the second laxative bag to be taken at night. There is currently no scientific evidence to support their use.

In November, a social media influencer called Crystal George revealed she was pregnant, despite having taken the Pill for 10 years, after using a 14-day teatox from a brand promoted by celebrities.

The Government is expected to confirm its plans next month for a statutory duty of care under which social media executives would be held responsible for failing to protect children from online harms.

As revealed last week by The Daily Telegraph, ministers are under pressure to accelerate plans to establish a regulator, expected to be Ofcom, with powers to fine firms and nominated executives for breaches of the duty of care.

However, ministers are expected to abandon more draconian plans to require internet service providers to block companies such as Facebook and Instagram from access to UK consumers for serious breaches.