The fame EFFECT

WHY WE TRUST CELEBRITY HEALTH ADVICE AND WHY WE SHOULDN’T

- Madison Bogisch.

When Gwyneth Paltrow appeared on an episode of Dr Will Cole’s The Art of Being Well podcast detailing her wellness routine, which consists of intermittent fasting, vegetables and bone broth, the internet went wild.

Celebrity wellness regimens often turn heads (just take Madonna drinking her urine or Kim Kardashian blending up a placenta smoothie), and generally, they make good cocktail fodder – but what about when we start to take this as health advice?

“We know that people admire celebrities and are largely influenced by what they say and do – especially the younger generations,” says Kamyra La Fauci, dietitian at Heart Smart Australia.

 “When the health advice celebrities are sharing is inaccurate and potentially dangerous, it becomes more harmful than helpful in the health and wellness space.”

So, why do we care about the latest tea, detox or jade egg peddled by famous figures? And what are the dangers of falling victim to the celeb effect?

Why do we care?