A video is being shared on social media with a weight loss claim which reads ‘1 eggplant, you will melt your belly fat in 7 days without diet or exercises, You will lose up to 10 kg in a week #weightloss #bellyfat #homemade #diy #drinks.’ In the video, the juice is made out of eggplant; according to the video, it will dissolve belly fat. Let’s fact-check this claim through this article.
Claim: One eggplant alone will melt your belly fat in seven days without diet or exercise.
Fact: It is true that eggplant is a high-fibre, low calorie food item, and this can create fullness in the stomach and reduce calorie intake. However, there is no credible scientific evidence to prove that consuming one eggplant alone in any shape or form would vanish belly fat without any other diet or exercise. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Factly has observed a growing trend of unscientific weight-loss claims being shared on social media. The recent one is related to eggplant claim which says consuming one eggplant will miraculously melt belly fat. We looked for relevant scientific studies related to the claim to find its truthfulness. This study shows that eggplants can be useful in treating Metabolic syndrome, categorised by ‘the co-occurrence of multiple changes in high blood glucose, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, correlated with an enhanced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and mortality.’ The study recommends further research on understanding the mechanisms of the actions of eggplant. Healthline says Eggplant is a high-fibre and low-calorie diet; adding them to any weight loss regimen is excellent.
Besides this, no substantial scientific evidence proves the effectiveness of Brinjal/Eggplant in aiding weight loss or that one eggplant will vanish belly fat without the need for any exercise or diet. Losing weight just by drinking a certain juice and not complementing it with proper physical exercise may sound fancy and easy, but work needs to be actively put in to achieve results while trying to lose weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), ‘Achieving healthy weight loss isn’t about a “diet” or “program” but a lifestyle with healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity, and stress management.’
CDC acknowledges that people wanting to lose weight would want it to happen quickly, but ‘ people with gradual and steady weight loss (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more likely to keep the weight off.’ For people starting their weight loss journey, CDC has provided a step-by-step guide which can be read here. The National Institute on Aging also provide some guidelines for maintaining a healthy weight; this can be read here.
To sum it up, the process of losing weight can be daunting, and the desire to make it happen quickly pushes one to make irrational choices, and believe in claims that promise shortcuts to weight loss. Factly recommends its readers check with their physician before following any weight loss recommendations they see online. Factly has also debunked similar weigh-loss claims earlier, which can be read here and here.
