Clinician-scientist Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known on social media, as 'The Liver Doc', who recently debunked a few pseudoscienctifc claims of actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu on the benefits of inhaling hydrogen peroxide to treat respiratory viral infections, called out another South Indian actor, Nayanthara, who had endorsed the benefits of hibiscus tea, which she claimed is “high in antioxidants and is helpful in diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart-related ailments.”
She credited nutritionist Munmun Ganeriwal for curating a meal plan that has hibiscus tea in it and said this has long been used in Ayurveda.
Hibiscus tea is great for the monsoon season as it is rich in vitamins and keeps our immune system in equilibrium, she added.
'The Liver Doc' was quick to call Nayanthara out on these claims. Noting that it would have been okay if Nayanthara had stopped at hibiscus tea is kind of tasty, "that would have been ok" but she went ahead blowing her "health-illiteracy trumpet."
He claimed that her post "seems like the post was an advertisement for her celebrity nutritionist."
Be very careful about having hibiscus tea on a daily basis, he said.
There are no studies to prove that hibiscus tea prevents acne or is antibacterial or prevents seasonal infections in humans, the doctor noted.
"...men and women in reproductive age groups, PLEASE DO NOT consume hibiscus tea on a regular basis as there is insufficient evidence on its safety. Better to be safe than sorry," he further wrote.
The actor appeared to have removed her Instagram post on the benefits of hibiscus tea after the remarks by 'The Liver Doc'.
