Warning over new TikTok ‘weight reduction’ development which has ‘explosive’ side-effects

Summer is back and so is the pressure of a ‘bikini body’.

Now, there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ beach figure. But, with toxic beauty standards heightened in the hot months, it’s a real task to get away from diet culture.

And especially if you’re scrolling through TikTok. It seems like users on the social media app conjure a new weight-loss tip every month and the newest fad could prove ‘explosive’ for all the wrong reasons.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a fit gran with grey hair – you won’t stop me from slipping into a bikini’

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Earlier this year, we saw the rise of Ozempic – the diabetes drug that also causes rapid weight loss – and now it’s time for castor oil to shine.

But, drinking the pale yellow liquid might just leave you with a runny tummy instead of a teeny waistline.

A number of TikTok creators have been seen drinking a monthly tablespoon dose of the oil and claim that they have to ‘run to the bathroom all day’ as it will ‘clear’ them out and set them up for weight loss.

No one wants more poo on our British beaches, right? So, we’ve had a chat with Emily Wood, Registered Nutritionist and Voy Weight Loss Coach, to examine the new diet trend.

The expert told us: “People often turn to diets throughout their whole lives, hoping to find faster solutions to weight change.

“Over the summer often people will want to see quick change usually with a holiday in mind or event they have been looking forward to.

“TikTok users labelling castor oil as a weight loss aid is misleading; its primary effect is as a potent laxative rather than a fat burner, potentially leading to temporary weight loss through water elimination and not sustainable fat loss.”

Not only is castor oil ineffective, it also can leave you with digestive issues. And by digestive issues, we mean ‘explosive diarrhoea’.

Due to the vegetable-derived oil being high in ricinoleic acid, drinking castor oil can lead to a dramatic increase in bowel movement.

But, going to the loo at such a frequent rate is neither good for your bowels or yourself in the long run.

Emily continued: “Castor oil can cause explosive diarrhoea due to its high ricinoleic acid content, which stimulates intestinal contractions and water secretion into the bowels, leading to rapid and severe bowel movements.

“Drinking castor oil can also result in abdominal cramps, nausea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances, posing risks especially for individuals with sensitive digestive systems or pre-existing medical conditions.”

So what can people do to feel good about their body instead of slurping on castor oil? And what even is a ‘cleanse’ anyway?

Well, the focus is not on weight loss but feeling good within your own body. And that all starts with fuelling yourself with things that your stomach is going to agree with.

That means consuming water and ditching the booze. But ‘cleansing’ your body is not the answer, Emily says.

She explained that ‘cleansing’ rituals – a short-term fix – are often fads and create no real long-term benefits to your body.

Unless you want to spend the summer pooing yourself, then you might want to put that castor oil back in the cupboard.

The nutritionist said: “Instead of relying on castor oil or similar drastic measures, a safe ‘body cleanse’ involves increasing water intake, consuming fibre-rich foods, and focusing on whole, minimally processed foods as well as reducing alcohol to support the body’s natural detoxification processes through the liver, kidneys and bowels.

“In dieting jargon, ‘cleanse’ typically refers to a short-term regimen claiming to eliminate toxins or excess weight, often through restricted diets or specific foods believed to detoxify the body.

“Often this provides water weight loss and increased levels of bowel movement through laxative processes.”

Voy have recently been on a mission to debunk the diet jargon that is often seen floating around on the internet. They found that over half of the popular diets require an actual science degree to understand.

That means you shouldn’t take what you see on social media at face value. The study from Voy found that 70% of Gen Z admit to following diets they’ve seen on social media, with only half (51%) seeking out medical advice before embarking on them.

Emily concluded: “The biggest misconception in dieting is that quick fixes or fad diets, like those involving castor oil, can lead to sustainable weight loss.

“In reality, long-term success comes from balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits rather than temporary solutions.”