Beware of the dangerous trend on TikTok Eating borax
Beware of the dangerous trend on TikTok Eating borax
The Dangers of Consuming Borax: Don’t Believe Everything You See on TikTok
Despite what you see on TikTok, don’t consume the laundry powder borax to relieve pain and inflammation or boost bone health. Even though videos on the social media site tout it as a treatment, this substance is not safe to consume and could cause kidney failure and multi-organ damage, warns Dr. Karthik Ramani from Michigan Medicine.
The TikTok Trend and Its Dangers
TikTok videos have shown people washing down a pinch of the powder with water, supposedly to help with pain and inflammation, improve bone health, and ease osteoarthritis. They claim it’s because borax contains boron, a trace element present in many foods. However, boron is not classified as an essential nutrient for humans, as research hasn’t identified a clear biological function for it.
What is Borax and Why is it Dangerous?
“Borax is not boron – it’s a powdery white substance, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate,” explains Dr. Ramani. Importantly, it’s not a food-grade substance, a dietary ingredient, or a pharmaceutically active ingredient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for consumption as a food or beverage.
Consuming borax has serious health implications. There have been reports of acute poisoning causing acute kidney failure and multi-organ damage. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, itching, swelling of the feet, and even respiratory problems or seizures. If you believe you’re experiencing kidney issues or poisoning due to borax consumption, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
The Importance of Reliable Information
Dr. Ramani strongly advises against trying dangerous trends or fads like consuming borax on social media without first obtaining verifiable information from reputable sources such as the FDA, NIH (National Institutes of Health), or consulting qualified healthcare professionals. It’s essential to prioritize your health and be cautious about the information you come across online.
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It’s always important to be critical of the health information we find on social media platforms like TikTok. While these platforms can be great for entertainment and creativity, they are not always reliable sources of accurate medical information.
For more information on kidney health and related issues, you can visit the National Kidney Foundation’s website.
Source: Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan, news release, Aug. 15, 2023
