Unveiling the Pseudoscience of Popular Weight Loss Methods: From "Witch's Soup" to the Deadly Cost of Fasting

Popular weight loss methods are those that were popular for a period of time and then disappeared, used by many people. Generally, popular weight loss methods focus on one type or group of foods while excluding other foods. In other words, they are unbalanced diets. Although many weight loss methods circulate, most can be categorized into the following six types: "miracle" food diets, low-fat diets, high-protein/low-sugar diets, high-fat diets, liquid diets or food substitutes, and fasting. The reality you may not want to face is that any rapid, significant weight loss is mostly due to water loss, especially diarrhea. Body fat is not lost. Once you return to normal eating habits, the lost weight will quickly be regained.

In the 1990s, a very popular weight loss method in the United States was the vegetable soup diet. Now, some people have brought this method to China, calling it the "witch's soup" diet. There are many other variations of this soup. But every method promises "containing fat-burning vegetables you can eat, and you can lose 15 pounds in just one week." The main ingredients of vegetable soup are cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. However, the reality you may not want to face is that any rapid, significant weight loss is mostly due to water loss, especially diarrhea. Body fat is not lost. Once you return to normal eating habits, the lost weight will quickly return. Many popular weight loss methods also utilize pseudoscience. For example, the vegetable soup diet claims that "your body will use the potassium, carbohydrates, protein, and calcium in the soup to reduce your cravings for sweets." This diet promises to "cleanse impurities from the body."

Eating fat-free or low-fat foods seems like a safe way to lose weight. Although many foods contain little or no fat, their calorie content is the same as full-fat foods. This is because removing fat removes much of the delicious flavor and complexity of the food. To compensate, sugars are added during food processing. Therefore, while these foods may not have as much fat, their calorie content is the same, making them indistinguishable for weight loss. Furthermore, many people believe these foods are healthy and safe, leading them to eat without restraint and often resulting in overeating.

Relying solely on liquid foods for nutrition can cause serious health problems, even death. Fasting refers to eating or drinking very little or nothing for a period of time. Prolonged fasting is not a healthy method for weight loss. To maintain health, normal growth, and abundant energy, we must provide the body with fresh nutrients daily. Some people believe that fasting for a few days helps the body eliminate toxins, but this understanding is incorrect. In fact, fasting is no different from starvation. It doesn't provide the body with food, which puts a lot of stress on the body's organs, especially the heart, kidneys, and liver. During fasting, the body cannot obtain essential minerals, such as electrolytes. Electrolytes are crucial for the heart to beat normally. Even someone without a history of heart problems can develop serious heart problems from fasting. Weight loss achieved through prolonged fasting also increases the risk of gallstones. After several days of fasting, the body enters a state of ketosis. This state can cause problems such as dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and vomiting. In terms of energy, the body begins to burn fat, muscle, and organs. If you have the "determination" and "confidence" to persist for a longer period of time, you may also experience anemia, liver dysfunction, kidney stones, or even other more serious problems.