Who’s Really Behind TikTok’s Nutrition Advice? Spoiler: It’s Not Doctors

A new report from the Freedom Food Alliance and the Rooted Research Collective warns of the prevalence of fake nutrition experts on social media, with potentially severe consequences. The report estimates that up to 24 million people globally may be at risk due to influencers sharing misleading or false nutrition advice, particularly in movements like carnivore and keto diets promoting extreme eating habits.

Examples include raw meat influencers encouraging undercooked or raw meat consumption, leading to increased risk of foodborne illness. Low-fiber diets common in these circles can also raise the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. The report identifies three main types of misinformation spreaders - the exaggerating "doc," the conspiracy pedaling "rebel," and the profit-driven "hustler" - highlighting the necessity for clear, evidence-based communication to combat misinformation and rebuild trust in healthcare systems.