Several videos (here, here and here) of doctors endorsing miracle homemade cures for treating various health conditions, such as glaucoma, hypertension, and vision loss are being widely shared on social media. Let’s verify the claims made in these videos.
Video 1:
This video features Dr Rahil Chaudhary claiming that drinking soda can instantly cure all eye-related problems, including blurry vision, glaucoma, cataracts, etc., without any surgery or medications.
An internet search with relevant keywords led us to the full video of ophthalmologist Dr Rahil Chaudhary, uploaded on the YouTube channel of Ranveer Allahbadia on 29 March 2024. Upon examination, we found that Dr Rahil Chaudhary did not endorse any soda for preventing/curing eye diseases during the podcast. He discussed various surgical procedures related to eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts and methods for treating and preventing eye-related problems.
AI detection tools like True Media and Hive identified that the voice of Dr. Rahil Chaudhary in the viral video is AI-generated. As for the effectiveness of drinking soda in curing eye diseases, there is no credible evidence to support this claim. Research suggests that drinking soda can increase the risk of eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Doctors advise that miracle cures and homemade remedies can be dangerous, and proper diagnosis and treatment should be sought to avoid serious situations.
Video 2:
This video features Dr. Rahil Chaudhary claiming that drinking lemon water can instantly restore vision without any surgery or medications.
A reverse image search of the viral video led us to the original upload on the Pachouli Wellness channel by Dr. Preeti Seth on 30 January 2024. In this video, Dr. Chaudhary discusses crucial considerations before choosing LASIK surgery. He does not endorse drinking lemon water as an instant cure for eye diseases.
Moreover, we found that the audio in the viral video is AI-generated. Nonetheless, the claim that lemon water can cure eye problems and restore vision instantly is misleading and not supported by scientific evidence. While lemon water is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which are beneficial for overall health and may contribute to eye health over time, it does not have the power to treat specific eye conditions or restore vision immediately. Eye health is influenced by various factors, including genetics, overall nutrition, and lifestyle choices, and serious eye issues require proper medical evaluation and treatment from a qualified ophthalmologist.
Video 3:
This video features cardiologist Dr. Ramakanth Panda claiming that drinking rice water can improve iodine levels in the body, thereby instantly curing hypertension without changing lifestyle, habits, or diet.
A reverse image search of the viral video led us to the original upload on the YouTube channel of the Asian Heart Institute on 01 April 2014. In this video, Dr. Ramakanth Panda can be seen thanking everyone who congratulated him on successfully performing a complex coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. He did not endorse rice water as an immediate cure for hypertension in this video.
AI detection tools revealed that the voice of Dr. Ramakanth Panda in the viral video was generated by artificial intelligence. Moreover, the claim that rice water contains iodine and can immediately reduce hypertension is unfounded. While rice water may have trace amounts of iodine, rice is not a significant source of this nutrient. There is no direct evidence linking iodine levels to immediate reductions in blood pressure. Effective hypertension management requires a comprehensive approach, including lifestyle changes and potentially medication, rather than relying on miracle cures for instant results.
Similarly, FACTLY has previously debunked claims regarding miracle cures for critical health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, Obesity, joint pains etc. Visuals of politicians, celebrities, and anchors, such as Yogi Adityanath, Hema Malini, Anjana Om Kashyap, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajat Sharma etc. were previously used to promote dubious products or endorse miracle cures. However, these videos are AI-generated or manipulated and do not show these individuals endorsing such products
To sum up, AI-manipulated videos are shared as doctors endorsing miracle cures for Critical Illnesses like Glaucoma, Hypertension, and Vision Loss.